The Cubs transferred Sampson (knee) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Nick Burdi, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Iowa. Sampson isn't expected to return until July at the earliest after he underwent a meniscal debridement procedure on his right knee earlier this month.
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Cubs' Adrian Sampson: Undergoes meniscus surgery
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Sampson underwent a meniscal debridement procedure on his right knee Friday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
The Cubs haven't provided a timeline for Sampson's return, but he's presumably at least several weeks away from being ready to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment. After being optioned to Triple-A Iowa coming out of spring training, Sampson made two starts for the affiliate before going down with the knee injury. Chicago recalled him from Triple-A on Thursday, but it was merely a procedural move, as he shifted from Iowa's 7-day injured list to the Cubs' 15-day IL. Sampson could move to the Cubs' 60-day IL if the organization needs to free up a 40-man roster spot at some point later on this season.
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Cubs' Adrian Sampson: Recalled, placed on IL
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Sampson was recalled Thursday from Triple-A Iowa and placed on the 15-day injured list with a right meniscus injury, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
This is a procedural move from the Cubs that has no bearing on Sampson's recovery timetable. He hasn't appeared in a game for Iowa since April 8 and will probably be returned to that level once he's deemed fit for live competition.
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Cubs' Adrian Sampson: Optioned to Triple-A
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Sampson was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.
Sampson was competing with Hayden Wesneski for the Cubs' fifth starter role, but it's Wesneski who emerged the winner. Sampson's 8.66 ERA in spring training certainly didn't help his case. Rather than keep him around as the long man in the bullpen, the Cubs elected to send him to the minors, presumably to keep him stretched out.
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Cubs' Adrian Sampson: Looks better Saturday
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Sampson allowed two runs (one earned) across 4.1 innings in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Giants. He gave up two hits and a walk while striking out six.
Sampson entered the game with a 14.04 ERA across 8.1 innings this spring, so Saturday's start was a step in the right direction. The righty seems destined for a long-relief role with Hayden Wesneski having the inside track for the fifth spot in the rotation, but Sampson did make 19 starts a season ago, so he'll remain a candidate to make spot starts in 2023.
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Cubs' Adrian Sampson: Seems unlikely to start
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With Hayden Wesneski likely closing in on the fifth spot in the rotation, according to Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, Sampson may have to settle for long-relief work to begin the season.
Wesneski hasn't allowed an earned run in Cactus League action while Sampson has a 14.04 ERA across 8.1 innings. The struggles seem likely to push Sampson into the bullpen. The righty made 19 starts and recorded a strong 3.11 ERA last season, so he could reemerge as a starting option at some point in 2023, but for now it seems his fantasy value will take a hit as a long reliever.
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Cubs' Adrian Sampson: Stung by home runs again
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Sampson allowed three runs on six hits across four innings in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Brewers. He had no walks and struck out three.
After allowing three home runs over 2.2 innings in his last spring start, Sampson once again struggled with the long ball, serving up two homers Sunday. The righty is now sitting with a 14.04 Cactus League ERA, which isn't helping his cause in the battle for the team's fifth starter opening. Hayden Wesneski and Javier Assad are also in the running, so Sampson may find himself in a long-relief role if he can't turn things around.
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Cubs' Adrian Sampson: Tagged for six runs Tuesday
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Sampson allowed six runs on four hits across 2.2 innings in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Rangers. He walked two and struck out two.
Sampson was hurt by the long ball, as three of the four hits he allowed left the park. The righty has now appeared in two games this spring and has given up 10 earned runs across just 4.1 innings. Sampson is in the running for the Cubs' fifth starter role along with Hayden Wesneski and Javier Assad, but the former could be falling behind due to his subpar play so far. The 31-year-old made 19 starts and two relief appearances for Chicago last season, posting a strong 3.11 ERA across 104.1 innings, so he could still turn things around in camp.
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Cubs' Adrian Sampson: Struggles in spring debut
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Sampson allowed four runs on three hits across 1.2 innings in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Giants. He walked one and struck out one.
All three hits allowed by Sampson left the yard, giving the righty a rough line in his spring debut. Sampson is in contention for the Cubs' fifth starter spot along with the likes of Hayden Wesneski and Javier Assad, so he'll need better performances moving forward to stick in the rotation to begin the season.
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Cubs' Adrian Sampson: Will pitch in spring opener
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Sampson will work behind starter Marcus Stroman in the Cubs' Cactus League opener Saturday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Sampson is one of the contenders for Chicago's fifth and final spot in the rotation, along with Hayden Wesneski and Javier Assad. Whoever wins that battle might get bumped when Kyle Hendricks (shoulder) returns, but there could at least be some short-term streaming value. Sampson started 19 games for the Cubs last year and posted a strong 3.11 ERA across 104.1 innings.
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Cubs' Adrian Sampson: Reaches deal to avoid arbitration
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Sampson agreed to a one-year, $1.9 million contract with the Cubs on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Sampson was a bright spot in the Cubs' rotation last season, pitching to a 3.11 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 104.1 innings. The strikeouts lag behind and the estimators suggest Sampson was pitching well above his head last season, but he's earned the chance to compete for a rotation spot in spring training.
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Cubs' Adrian Sampson: Diagnosed with right groin issue
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Sampson was removed from Wednesday's start against the Reds as a precautionary measure due to right groin tightness, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Sampson exited with a trainer after just 2.2 innings Wednesday, but it's somewhat encouraging that his departure was labeled as precautionary. It's not yet clear whether the issue will impact his offseason program at all, but he'll likely be available for the start of spring training in 2023.
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Cubs' Adrian Sampson: Exits with apparent injury
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Sampson exited Wednesday's start against the Reds in the bottom of the third inning due to an apparent injury, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Sampson allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out three in 2.2 innings to begin Wednesday's season finale, but he left with a trainer with two outs in the bottom of the third inning. The exact nature of his injury isn't yet clear, but he appeared to be pointing at the inside of his upper leg while talking with a trainer. Over 21 appearances (19 starts) in the majors this year, the right-hander posted a 3.11 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 104.1 innings.
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Cubs' Adrian Sampson: Tosses seven innings
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Sampson (4-5) yielded one run on three hits and two walks over seven innings Friday, striking out six and earning a win over the Reds.
Aside from a solo shot by Jake Fraley in the second inning, Sampson had little issue cruising through seven frames against Cincinnati. The 30-year-old righty has given up two or fewer runs in seven straight starts, posting a terrific 1.60 ERA during that stretch. With his season likely finished, Sampson registered a 3.10 ERA and a 70:26 K:BB through 101.2 frames.
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Cubs' Adrian Sampson: Another great start Sunday
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Sampson (3-5) earned the victory Sunday in Pittsburgh, striking out three in six innings while allowing a run on four hits.
Sampson faced three batters over the minimum Sunday with the only run against him coming on a Bryan Reynolds solo homer with two outs in the sixth. It was his fourth straight start of six innings while allowing one run or fewer. The 30-year-old has been a regular member of the rotation since the end of June and has a 3.44 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 59:24 K:BB in 89 innings across 17 starts this year. His next and possibly final start of the year will likely come next weekend in Cincinnati.
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Cubs' Adrian Sampson: Another quality start Tuesday
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Sampson didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Marlins, allowing one run on eight hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out three.
The 30-year-old right-hander once again kept hitters off-balance despite a lack of dominant stuff, recording only eight swinging strikes over 89 pitches but still limiting the damage on the contact he gave up. Sampson has delivered a quality start in three straight outings, providing the Cubs' rotation with some stability. Since the beginning of August he sports a 2.98 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 29:14 K:BB through 45.1 innings.
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Cubs' Adrian Sampson: Six scoreless innings Tuesday
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Sampson (2-5) earned the win Tuesday, allowing two hits and four walks with three strikeouts over six scoreless innings against the Mets.
Despite allowing a season-high four walks, Sampson held the Mets scoreless through six innings of work, improving his ERA to 3.48. The quality start is his second in a row and fourth on the season. The 30-year-old will likely draw a more favorable matchup against the Marlins this weekend when he will look to continue his streak of quality work.
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Cubs' Adrian Sampson: Quality start Thursday
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Sampson did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing one run on five hits and no walks over six innings against the Reds. He struck out one.
Sampson needed just 75 pitches to get through six innings and record the quality start against the Reds, his first since Aug. 7. Unfortunately for the 30-year-old, the bullpen was unable to maintain the lead. The start was his second without allowing a walk in his last 10 outings, and it was the third time he's completed six innings this season. Sampson will take a 3.76 ERA into his next start, tentatively scheduled against the Mets next week.
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Cubs' Adrian Sampson: Takes fifth loss
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Sampson (1-5) allowed two runs on four hits across five innings to take the loss Friday against the Cardinals. He walked two and struck out four.
Sampson pitched decently but left the game down 2-0, and the Chicago bullpen allowed six more runs to score in an 8-0 defeat. The righty has a solid 3.95 ERA despite his subpar record, and he's allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five outings, though he's failed to complete six innings in any of those games. Sampson is scheduled to make his next start Thursday against the Reds in what projects to be an easier matchup.
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Cubs' Adrian Sampson: Back from restricted list
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The Cubs reinstated Sampson (personal) from the restricted list Thursday.
Due to his vaccination status, Sampson was unable to travel to Canada for the Cubs' recent series with the Blue Jays, but he was added back to the 28-man active roster in advance of the team's three-game set in St. Louis this weekend. Sampson will start Friday's series opener, according to Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times.
