That 98 MPH Fastball From a Former M's Arm Just Landed Him a Shot at a SEVEN-FIGURE Payday!

Alright, 12s, did you catch the M's snatching that W against the Mets yesterday? A tight 3-2 victory, baby, that's what we love to see! But while our boys were battling at T-Mobile Park, some interesting news dropped from across the globe, bringing back a name a few of you might remember. We're talking about Yacksel Rios, a right-handed reliever who once wore the Mariners' colors. This dude just made a move that could seriously change his life, and it's got us thinking about those high-velocity arms.

Remember Yacksel Rios? He's Chasing the Big Bucks in Korea!

So, here's the deal: Yacksel Rios, a former M's pitcher, just inked a deal with the LG Twins in the Korea Baseball Organization. He's replacing another ex-big leaguer, Yonny Chirinos, who got released. Rios, who's 32, was in the Cubs organization earlier this year, even throwing 1 2/3 shutout innings with their big league team. Before that, he was pitching for their top affiliate in Des Moines, rocking a 4.24 ERA over 17 2/3 innings this season. Now, he's heading to compete for closing opportunities in the KBO, and man, this could be huge for him. He's a veteran, having pitched exactly 100 major league innings, and he's been around the block with the Phillies, Pirates, Red Sox, and A's, plus his brief '26 stint with the Cubs. We saw him here in Seattle for a bit, too. While his MLB ERA sits at 6.21, the guy still throws some serious heat. Earlier this year in his quick MLB look, his four-seamer was averaging a ridiculous 98 mph. He's also got a sinker with comparable velo, a splitter in the low 90s, and an 86 mph slider. Rios has consistently missed bats in his career, though command has been a struggle, which is pretty common for hard throwers. But this KBO move? A big showing in the next four months could absolutely pave the way for a seven-figure payday in one of the top Asian leagues. That's life-changing money right there, all from a guy we once saw here in the Emerald City.

Meanwhile, Injuries Hit Other Clubs Hard

While our M's are grinding out wins, other teams are dealing with some rough news on the injury front. Over in Oakland, the Athletics are facing some serious rotation woes. Luis Severino is out with a strain of his shoulder capsule and subscapularis muscle. They're saying he'll be re-evaluated in four to six weeks, and the implication is he's shut down for that whole timeline. That puts him pretty close to the All-Star break, and then he'd still need a ramp-up before any rehab assignment. Basically, we might not see him back until August. That's a brutal blow for them, right? Aaron Civale also hit the IL with right shoulder tendonitis, though he's already started a throwing progression. It just goes to show how quickly things can change in this league. So, as we watch our Mariners push through the season, securing wins like that 3-2 nail-biter against the Mets, we're reminded that every game, every arm, and every injury matters. What's next for our squad? We keep battling, we keep playing M's baseball, and we keep our eyes peeled for what Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh are gonna do next. This season is just getting started, and we're here for every pitch!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.