Hector Neris - Closers and Saves Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds (Week 4)

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

ROSTERED IN: 46% of Leagues

ANALYSIS: With the removal of Adbert Alzolay from the closer role for the Cubs after a fourth blown save already in the early going of 2024, an opportunity was created for another reliever to take over the job. Hector Neris was called upon to record the save in the second game of the Cubs' doubleheader this past Saturday and since then he's recorded two more saves in consecutive days on Wednesday and Thursday.

It hasn't been without drama though. Neris came into the ninth inning with a 4-2 lead over the Astros Wednesday, then promptly gave up a home run to Jose Altuve before retiring the next three batters to preserve the 4-3 victory. On Thursday, Neris again came on in the ninth with a 3-1 lead and walked the first two batters he faced, bringing the winning run to the plate with no outs in the inning. The 34-year-old proceeded to induce three straight groundouts to get out of the inning with the victory.

Héctor Neris escapes the jam against his former team and is PUMPED! pic.twitter.com/SchDL9q4mk

— MLB (@MLB) April 25, 2024

It had been much of the same prior to taking over ninth-inning duties and the righty now has a 4.00 ERA, 1.78 WHIP, and a -2.4% K-BB% (yes, that's a negative 2.4%). Regardless of how he got there, the veteran now has three saves on the season.

It was thought that potentially Mark Leiter Jr. could compete for ninth-inning duties as his numbers are sparkling so far on the season with a 0.00 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and a 15.7% K-BB%, but it appears the Cubs don't want to mess around with his role. Neris has the edge when it comes to experience too, with 92 career saves compared to Leiter's seven.

Fantasy managers who want to take a chance on Neris may have a good shot at getting him as he's available in over 50% of Yahoo leagues at this point, just know that the potential save could cost you in WHIP and ERA.

More Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups

Jacob deGrom - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 25)

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues ROSTERED IN: 75% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom is on the verge of returning to the major leagues and should be rostered in all formats. The former two-time Cy Young winner underwent Tommy John surgery last summer and began a rehab assignment in late August. Through […]

Andy Smith 2 months ago

Kumar Rocker - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 25)

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 15% of Leagues ANALYSIS:  Texas Rangers starting pitching prospect Kumar Rocker is set to make his major league debut on Thursday and should be added in all standard leagues. Rocker has had a rocky start to his professional career. He was originally drafted by the New […]

Andy Smith 2 months ago

Jasson Dominguez: Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 25 (2024)

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 35% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The New York Yankees called up their top prospect, Jasson Dominguez, before Monday's series opener against the Kansas City Royals. Dominguez hit sixth and played left field in his second major league start of the season. In that contest, he went 1-for-4 with […]

Joey Pollizze 2 months ago

Will Wagner - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 23)

BALLER MOVE: Use as Streamer for Rest of Season / Stash in Dynasty Leagues CALL-UP ETA: In Majors ANALYSIS: Will Wagner, the son of legendary closer Billy Wagner, was acquired by the Toronto Blue Jays at this year’s trade deadline from the Houston Astros as part of the Yusei Kikuchi return. The 26-year-old currently ranks […]

Jake Kleiner 3 months ago

Connor Norby - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 22)

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Leagues CALL-UP ETA: August 19 ANALYSIS: Connor Norby is finally making his much-anticipated debut for the Miami Marlins. Norby, who was acquired at the trade deadline in the deal that sent Trevor Rogers to Baltimore, was playing with Miami's Triple-A team in Jacksonville since being traded but was activated by Miami […]

Dan Palyo 3 months ago