Houston Astros reliever Hector Neris has chosen to decline the $8.5 million mutual option, according to reports

Reliever Hector Neris has declined his part of an $8.5 million mutual option for 2024 with the Houston Astros, making him a free agent as of Sunday.

Neris will receive a $1 million buyout, effectively completing a $17 million, two-year contract.

The 34-year-old right-hander posted a 6-3 record with a 1.71 ERA and two saves across 71 games, marking his third consecutive season with 70 or more appearances. Despite his regular season success, Neris struggled in the postseason, recording a 6.48 ERA in seven appearances. He notably surrendered home runs to Minnesota’s Jorge Polanco and Royce Lewis in an AL Division Series opener, as well as to Texas’ Josh Jung in Game 3 of the AL Championship Series.

Originally from the Dominican Republic, Neris boasts a career record of 33-36 with a 3.24 ERA and 89 saves over 10 seasons with Philadelphia (2014-2021) and Houston (2022-2023).