In their continued effort to solidify a bullpen that has been both promising and inconsistent over recent seasons, the Atlanta Braves made a notable move this spring by signing veteran reliever Héctor Neris to a minor league deal on March 3, 2025. Neris, known for his durability and fiery mound presence, brought with him over a decade of Major League experience, including productive stints with the Philadelphia Phillies and most recently, the Houston Astros.
Neris was added to the Braves’ Opening Day roster on March 21, signaling the front office’s belief that the 35-year-old still had the ability to contribute at a high level. This move came amid broader efforts to deepen the bullpen, which also included the surprising return of former Braves closer and nine-time All-Star Craig Kimbrel, who signed a minor league contract around the same time.
The Braves were clearly banking on a mix of veteran leadership and proven experience to back up their young rotation and high-leverage arms like A.J. Minter and Raisel Iglesias. For a club with legitimate postseason aspirations, having reliable arms to cover the sixth through eighth innings is crucial—especially in a division featuring potent offenses like those of the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets.
Unfortunately for Neris, his tenure in Atlanta was brief and rocky. In just two appearances, he allowed five runs on five hits across a single inning of work. While a small sample size, the outings were enough for Atlanta to make a swift decision. On March 31, the Braves designated Neris for assignment to make room for 41-year-old right-hander Jesse Chavez, a beloved clubhouse presence and consistent contributor from past seasons.
Following his DFA, Neris elected free agency on April 2 and later signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels on April 16, hoping for a fresh start and another chance to prove he still has gas left in the tank.
While the Neris experiment didn’t work out as hoped, it underscores Atlanta’s aggressive approach to bullpen construction—an area that often defines success or failure in the postseason. Depth is everything in today’s game, and relievers can be notoriously volatile from year to year. By cycling through veteran options like Neris and Kimbrel, the Braves are hedging their bets while continuing to develop internal options.
The team is still well-positioned as the regular season ramps up, with a strong core intact and reinforcements like Chavez adding stability. The Braves will continue to explore options as the season progresses, particularly if injuries or underperformance crop up. Neris’ time in Atlanta may have been short-lived, but his signing was a reflection of the organization’s proactive mindset—a readiness to take calculated risks in pursuit of another National League pennant.
Atlanta is set to host the St. Louis Cardinals on April 21, and while Neris won’t be in the bullpen, the moves made this spring reflect a club that’s all-in on winning now, with no stone left unturned.
