Chicago Cubs DFA & Waive Their Closer

From closer to the waiver wire, to getting his release papers, all in one week. Chicago Cubs reliever Hector Neris has been DFA'd and released, after a dreadful couple of weeks.

Chicago Cubs news: Reliever Hector Neris was DFA'd and has already cleared waivers, sources tell ESPN. He's being released. Jack Neely, acquired from the Yankees in the Mark Leiter Jr trade, is being called up to take his place.

— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) August 20, 2024

Neris has cleared waivers and is now a free agent. The Cubs are calling up Jack Neely to take his spot on the roster. 

Neris has picked up 17 saves for the Cubs as their closer, but also has five blown saves, and has an ERA of near 5.00 over the past couple of weeks, with a WHIP of 1.50. Overall on the season, the 35-year-old has a 3.89 ERA with a 1.52 WHIP and an untenable 5.3 walks per nine innings. 

Jorge Lopez is likely taking over as the closer, as he picked up his 3rd save of the season a couple of days ago (despite giving up a run), and has a 0.83 ERA, with a 23:7 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 21 innings this year. The 31-year-old was an All-Star closer with the Baltimore Orioles in 2022. 

As for Neris, he has 106 career saves, and despite his control problems this season, is likely to be able to land a job with another team before too long.

Photo: © Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports