Some news regarding Phillies relief pitcher Hector Neris before the team opens up a three-game set against the Cardinals tonight at Citizens Bank Park:

There’s little mystery why Neris has posted 6.00 ERA in 30 appearances this season. Opponents are hitting .284 off of him while posting a robust .935 OPS. According to Statcast, his hard hit rate has risen from 33.2% a year ago to 40.5% this season. In other words, he’s been awful.

He worked a clean final frame on Saturday afternoon to earn his first save since May 21, but was absolutely blitzed by the Brewers’ offense yesterday afternoon. He was twice taken deep during a ninth inning that saw him allow four hits and four earned runs on his way to nearly blowing a 10-5 lead. He was mercifully yanked by Gabe Kapler before Jake Thompson entered to record the game’s final out.

The 29-year-old struggled from the jump this season. He allowed a walk-off three-run homer in the ninth to Atlanta’s Nick Markakis on Opening Day and has yet to recover. While his 11.67 K/9 this season is a career best, Neris has struggled to keep the ball in the yard. He’s allowed eight home runs in 27 innings of work. By comparison, he allowed only nine home runs in 72 innings a season ago.

Davis, a 25-year-old left-handed pitcher, posted a 2.43 ERA with 38 strikeouts and 0.91 WHIP in 29.2 IP with the Iron Pigs this season.