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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 02: Craig Counsell #11 of the Chicago Cubs walks onto the field in the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres in game three of the National League Wild Card Series at Wrigley Field on October 02, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
On Sunday, the Chicago Cubs will finish up their series with the Arizona Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field.
The Cubs have won each of the first two games in the series, so they will look to go for the sweep.
Chicago Cubs Let Go Of 7-Year MLB Player
GettyYacksel Rios #75 of Team Puerto Rico reacts after the fifth inning of the game against Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic Quarterfinals at loanDepot park on March 17, 2023 in Miami, Florida.
Ahead of Sunday’s game, the Cubs announced that they had designated Yacksel Ríos for assignment.
Ríos has appeared in one game for the Cubs this season.
Patrick Mooney of The Athletic wrote: “Cubs closer Daniel Palencia will be active for today’s game against the Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field. In the corresponding roster move, Yacksel Ríos was designated for assignment.”
Ríos’ MLB Career
GettyYacksel Rios #53 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the seventh inning during a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park on April 26, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Diamondbacks won 8-2.
Ríos was picked in the 12th round of the 2011 MLB Draft.
He spent the first two and a half seasons of his career with the Philadelphia Phillies.
The 32-year-old then had stints with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Red Sox, Athletics, Seattle Mariners (and Cubs).
Over 93 career games, Ríos has gone 8-2 with a 6.21 ERA.
OUT OF THE JAM!
Yacksel Ríos limits the damage and is HYPED. Big out for Puerto Rico!
📺: WBC on FS1
Looking At Palencia
GettyDaniel Palencia #48 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates the team’s 1-0 win over the Cleveland Guardians in game one of a doubleheader at Progressive Field on April 05, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Palencia is in his fourth MLB season (all with the Cubs).
He is currently 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in five games this year.
Last season, the 26-year-old had 22 saves.
Iowa Cubs Broadcaster Jason Kempf wrote (on May 1): “Palencia just struck out Gabriel Gonzalez with a spotted 102 mph fastball at the knees for out number one. I would say he feels pretty good.”
Cubs Right Now
GettyManager Craig Counsell of the Chicago Cubs looks on from the dugout during the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game two of the National League Division Series at American Family Field on October 06, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The Cubs are off to a strong start to the 2026 season with a 21-12 record in 33 games.
They are 13-5 in the 18 games they have played at Wrigley Field.
After Sunday’s game, the Cubs will open up a series with the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night in Chicago.
