OAKLAND, CA – JULY 02: Yacksel Ríos #75 of the Boston Red Sox is seen before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Coliseum on Friday, July 2, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Chicago Cubs entered the 2026 season with expectations of returning to the postseason following last year’s breakthrough campaign.
And while much of the focus has remained on the major-league roster and the club’s efforts to contend in the National League, the organization has also cycled through a number of veteran depth pieces in search of some more bullpen stability.
But one of those pitchers only managed to work his way back to the majors briefly this season before being cast off and deciding to take his talents overseas.
7-Year MLB Veteran Yacksel Rios Leaves MLB After Brief Chicago Cubs Debut
After spending most of the year at Triple-A Iowa veteran reliever Yacksel Rios received a single-game debut with the Cubs this season before being released and now leaving affiliated baseball altogether.
“We have also signed a contract with Rios,” an official with the Korean Baseball Organization’s LG Twins told local outlet Naver Sports, according to a translation. “With Rios joining, it is highly likely that he will be utilized as a closer in the long term.”
The move comes less than three months after reports surfaced that Rios was joining the Cubs on a minor-league contract. That deal came after a significant career in the big leagues, with the pitcher logging nearly 100 innings across stints with the Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics.
“Rios, 32, has pitched to a 4.24 ERA in 17 2/3 innings with the Cubs’ top affiliate in Des Moines this season and tossed 1 2/3 shutout innings with the big league team earlier this year,” Steve Adams noted for MLB Trade Rumors after Rios decided to leave MLB for Korea. “He’s a veteran of exactly 100 major league innings but has struggled to a 6.21 ERA across stints with the Phillies, Pirates, Mariners, Red Sox and A’s (in addition to his brief ’26 stint with the Cubs).”
The signing has effectively ended Rios’ latest major-league pursuit, at least for now.
Former Chicago Cubs Pitcher Might Have Seen Final MLB Appearance
For many players, a brief major-league return serves as a stepping stone toward another opportunity. In Rios’ case, it has instead opened the door to an international opportunity with one of South Korea’s most prominent organizations, which could lead to another return to the big leagues.
“With the KBO’s Twins, he’s expected to compete for closing opportunities,” Adams added. “A big showing in the final four months of the season could plausibly earn him a look back in the majors this offseason, but it’s likelier to be an audition for a full season in either the KBO or in NPB next season. If he throws well, he’d have a path to securing a seven-figure payday in one of the top Asian leagues, and an eventual return to the majors can never be fully ruled out.”
After finally making it back to the majors with Chicago, the 32-year-old is now taking his career overseas, bringing an end to his latest stint in affiliated baseball shortly after his brief Cubs debut.