Rays Acquire Adrian Sampson, Manuel Rodriguez From Cubs
The Tampa Bay Rays acquired right-handers Adrian Sampson, Manuel Rodriguez and cash considerations from the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday in exchange for minor-league pitcher Josh Roberson. Sampson has spent all his time in 2023 in the minors in the Arizona Complex League and Triple-A Iowa after having surgery on his right knee in May. The 31-year-old has struggled to the tune of a 9.32 ERA, 1.86 WHIP and 24 strikeouts in 28 innings in the minors this year and should report to Triple-A Durham. Rodriguez, 26, also hasn't appeared in the big leagues this year and has recorded a 4.42 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 13 saves, 18 walks and 56 strikeouts in 38 2/3 relief innings at Iowa this season. Sampson nor Rodriguez are anywhere near the fantasy radar.
Hayden Wesneski, Javier Assad, Adrian Sampson In Mix For Rotation Spot
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks (shoulder) is expected to begin the season on the injured list. Also, the team announced that right-hander Keegan Thompson will open the season in a multi-inning relief role. That means, the Cubs currently have a vacant spot in the starting rotation. Currently, Hayden Wesneski, Javier Assad, and Adrian Sampson are all in the mix for that fifth-starter role. Between the three, Wesneski appears to have the most upside right now. He posted a 2.18 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 33/7 K/BB ratio across 33 innings (six appearances, four starts) last season with the Cubs. He could be worth a look in deep leagues or NL-only formats, assuming he snags that final rotation spot. However, all three players should get a legitimate chance to win the job during Spring Training.
Chicago Cubs pitcher Adrian Sampson (groin) was removed from Wednesday's start against the Cincinnati Reds due to right groin tightness. He exited with the trainers in the third inning as a precaution. Sampson allowed one earned run on four hits and a walk while striking out three across 2 2/3 innings before leaving. The 30-year-old finished the 2022 campaign with a 4-5 record, a 3.11 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and a 73:27 K: BB across 104 1/3 innings in 2022. Sampson is expected to be available for Spring Training in 2023.
Chicago Cubs right-hander Adrian Sampson had a quality start in the team's 2-1 win over the Miami Marlins on Tuesday, but he didn't factor into the decision. Sampson allowed just one earned run on eight hits while walking one and striking out three in six innings pitched. The 30-year-old isn't dominant by any means -- he has a weak 6.2 strikeouts per nine innings in 88 2/3 frames in 2022 -- but he's been a solid innings-eater for the Cubs and fantasy managers. Sampson has a 1.71 ERA (3.53 FIP) and has allowed only five earned runs while striking out 13 in 26 1/3 innings in his last four outings. Overall, he's gone 2-5 for the Cubbies with a 3.35 ERA (3.75 FIP), a 1.29 WHIP and 61 K's in 88 2/3 innings over 18 outings (16 starts) in 2022.
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Adrian Sampson earned his second win of the season Tuesday, outdueling Jacob deGrom to help the team beat the New York Mets 4-1. Sampson threw six innings, allowing no runs on two hits and four walks. He struck out three batters. While Sampson does not have a very high fantasy ceiling, he's gone four straight outings without allowing more than two earned runs. Fantasy managers could do worse than to use Sampson and his 3.48 ERA and 1.27 WHIP as a streamer in the right matchups.
The Chicago Cubs will call up starting pitcher Adrian Sampson from Triple-A Iowa to start on Wednesday versus the Cincinnati Reds. Sampson, 29, last pitched in the big leagues in 2019 for the Texas Rangers and went 6-8 with 5.89 ERA in 35 games (15 starts). Sampson will take the spot of recently released starting pitcher Jake Arrieta, but it's unclear if this will be a one-time deal or if he will remain in the rotation. Sampson is 4-5 with a 4.96 ERA in 16 games (14 starts) for Triple-A Iowa and can be avoided in all formats.
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Adrian Sampson allowed just three earned runs, five hits and two walks with seven strikeouts over six innings in a loss against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday. Sampson posted a quality start, throwing 64 of his 99 pitches for strikes, and he had first-pitch strikes to 17 of the 25 batters he faced. It was his second straight quality start, and fourth quality start in six June outings. He finished the month 3-2 with a 3.65 ERA, and he has won six of his past eight decisions over the past nine outings. He'll look to keep it going into July when he takes the ball next on Thursday against the visiting Los Angeles Angels.
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Adrian Sampson allowed just one earned run while scattering seven hits with a walk and four strikeouts over seven innings in a win Sunday against the Chicago White Sox. He threw 61 of his 91 pitches for strikes in the quality start, including 13 first-pitch strikes against the 26 batters he faced, lowering his ERA from 4.40 to 4.14. In five June starts he has posted a 3-1 record with a 3.48 ERA and three quality starts with 31 strikeouts over 31 innings. He has re-emerged as a decent AL-only fantasy league option, and he is worth using in some deeper mixed play and DFS when the matchup is favorable.
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Adrian Sampson set a career high with the first double-digit strikeout game of his career on Sunday in a 5-1 win over the Kansas City Royals. Sampson allowed just one run in seven innings by scattering eight hits without a walk, and he struck out 11. Only a sixth inning Jorge Soler home run did any damage. Sampson is not usually a strikeout pitcher as he now has just 63 career strikeouts in 86 1/3 innings. He should not be used for his next start against the Oakland Athletics, but success there could make him a future streaming candidate against Royals-level offenses.
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Adrian Sampson came on in the second inning of Tuesday's game in Seattle after RHP Jesse Chavez struck out three of the four batters he faced in the first inning as an opener. Sampson allowed three earned runs, eight hits and a walk with six strikeouts while throwing 61 of his 97 pitches for strikes, evening his record at 3-3. It's the third straight time Sampson has followed an opener, and the strategy is working. He is 3-0 with a 2.87 ERA across his past three appearances while lowering his ERA from 5.25 to 4.53. His next scheduled appearance is set for Sunday against Kansas City, and it's likely he'll follow an opener again.
