The Athletics acquired right-handed pitcher Yacksel Ríos from the Atlanta Braves on Sunday for cash considerations.
Oakland announced the move shortly after the A’s 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies at Oakland Coliseum.
In 89 career appearances (96 2/3 innings) in the big leagues — all relief — Rios, 29, is 8-2 with a 5.77 ERA. He last appeared in an MLB game in August 2021 with the Boston Red Sox. He spent all of last season with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights, an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, and signed with the Braves this winter.
In 21 relief appearances with the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers this season, Ríos is 1-1 with seven saves and has a 1.46 ERA. 3 work runs.
Drafted by Philadelphia in the 12th round in 2011, Ríos made his Phillies debut in 2017. He also spent time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Seattle Mariners and Red Sox.
Rios’ best stint in MLB came in 2021 after being traded to the Red Sox. In 20 relief appearances with Boston, Ríos had a 3.70 ERA in 24.1 innings pitched and held opposing hitters to a .159/.286/.329 slant line.
With the A’s throwing well the last 12 games, the addition of Ríos certainly signals the front office’s intent to continue to build throwing depth.