The Kansas City Royals have been putting together a solid team, and over the last year or so, have been building a strong bullpen.
Carlos Esteves has been a great closer, and this offseason, they traded with the Philadelphia Phillies for lefty set-up man Matt Strahm. Those two are both former Phillies, and they aren't going to be the only former Phillies relievers on the team this year.
According to Jon Heyman of The New York Post, the Royals are going to sign a former Phillies and Houston Astros reliever to a one-year deal. This 36-year-old righty is 12-year MLB veteran Hector Neris.
Royals to add another former Phillies reliever to bullpen
"Hector Neris signs with Royals," Heyman reported. "Minors deal with MLB camp invite."
Neris is joining the Royals for Spring Training on a minor league deal, with the chance to make the Opening Day roster with a strong Spring.
The veteran righty is coming off a down 2025 season with three teams. He pitched in two games for the Atlanta Braves, putting up a brutal 45.00 ERA.
In 21 appearances for the Los Angeles Angels this past season, he had a 5.14 ERA, and in 12 appearances for the Astros, he had a 5.40 ERA.
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Neris had a 4.10 ERA in 2024 with the Chicago Cubs (3.89 ERA) and Astros (4.70 ERA). His best season came in 2023 for the Astros, when he had a 1.71 ERA in 71 appearances for Houston.
During the Astros World Series run in 2022, he had a 1.50 postseason ERA in eight appearances. While he's not been great as of late, the promise he showed earlier in his career is worth taking a flier on for the Royals.
He might not make the MLB roster, but this is still a worthwhile signing for the Royals. He's a low-risk addition, one that won't cost the Royals anything if it doesn't work out. But, if it does work, it's a major pickup late in the offseason.
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