Two Oakland Athletics Pitchers Elect Free Agency

Zach Neal, a 34-year-old right-handed pitcher, and Yacksel Ríos, a 30-year-old right-handed reliever, have both decided to enter free agency after being removed from the Oakland Athletics' 40-man roster.

Zach Neal made his return to the Major Leagues in 2023, marking his first appearance since 2018.

However, he faced significant challenges during his time with the Athletics this season, posting a 6.67 ERA in 27 innings.

Over his four-year career, the 34-year-old holds a 5.35 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, with 62 strikeouts across 112.2 innings of work.

The following #Athletics minor leaguers have elected free agency:

RHP Zach Neal
RHP Yacksel Ríos

— MiLB-Transactions (@tombaseball29) October 7, 2023

Although he was offered the option to accept an outright assignment to Triple-A Las Vegas, Neal declined and opted for free agency.

Yacksel Ríos, on the other hand, underwent a shoulder procedure in July after allowing seven earned runs across three appearances in the major league.

This challenging season led to his removal from the Athletics' roster, prompting his search for a new team.

Over his six-year career, the 30-year-old holds a 6.32 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, with 93 strikeouts across 98.1 innings and 92 appearances.

Both pitchers are now exploring opportunities in the free-agent market as they look for fresh starts in their respective careers. Photo Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports