In a series of moves relayed by Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network, the Cubs are expected to select right-hander Yacksel Rios and recall lefty Charlie Barnes. Righty Vince Velasquez will be designated for assignment. Reliever Riley Martin is heading to the 15-day IL with elbow inflammation. The team has officially announced the moves.
Chicago’s depleted bullpen will get a pair of fresh arms. Velasquez pitched well in his lone appearance, shutting out the Dodgers over 2 1/3 innings on Saturday. He allowed a hit and struck out one in his first MLB outing since 2023. Martin hadn’t pitched since Thursday. The lefty joins an extensive list of injured relievers that includes Daniel Palencia, Caleb Thielbar, Hunter Harvey, Phil Maton, Porter Hodge, and Ethan Roberts.
Rios came to the organization on a minor league deal in January. The righty last appeared in the big leagues with the Athletics in 2023. He’s been in the Mets’ minor league system for the past two seasons. Rios has just over three years of MLB service time to his name. He’s spent parts of six big-league seasons with the Phillies, Pirates, Mariners, Red Sox, and A’s.
The 32-year-old Rios has a 6.32 career ERA and a checkered injury history. He was off to an uninspiring start to the Triple-A season, posting a 5.06 ERA across seven appearances with Iowa. Rios missed most of 2025 due to health issues. He delivered a solid minor league campaign in 2024, recording a 3.30 ERA with a strikeout per inning for Triple-A Syracuse.
Barnes was up with the club for one appearance in mid-April. He permitted three earned runs over three innings against the Phillies. The veteran was making his return stateside after four years with the Lotte Giants of KBO. Barnes’ only big-league experience before this season consisted of 38 innings with the Twins in 2021. The 30-year-old put together a three-year run of sub-4.00 ERAs as a starter in Korea from 2022 to 2024. He made just eight appearances last season.
Photo courtesy of Jim Rassol, Imagn Images
Twins please claim Velasquez if we don’t the Astros definitely will. Nice outing for him yesterday but the Cubs need fresh arms and Charlie Barnes can be the new inning eater.
Yakkity Yak, Yacksel’s back
Congratulations Yack!
The return (to DFA) of Vinnie Velo…
Fire the health staff because this is ridiculous.
Maton is coming back( Sadly maybe). Hollowell is pitching again. And they bring up this guy and brought up Velasquez so they could release him. Can’t make this stuff up.
Before too long it wil be Yacksmith Eve!
So when Riley Martin waved off the trainer the other day there really was something wrong.