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.

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.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Veteran pitcher Dan Straily has signed a one-year contract worth $800,000 with the Lotte Giants, the Korea Baseball Organization club announced on Saturday.The 31 year-old right-hander became a free agent in October after spending last season with the Baltimore Orioles, his sixth major league team. Each KBO team is allowed two foreign pitchers with Straily joining Adrian Sampson, formerly of the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers, who signed with the Giants in November.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Right-hander Adrian Sampson has been placed on unconditional release waivers by the Texas Rangers, a move that allows the right-hander to pitch in South Korea.Sampson is set to join the Lotte Giants following the move announced Monday.He went 6-8 with a 5.89 ERA in 125 1/3 innings over 15 starts and 20 relief appearances for the Rangers last season, when he was one of seven big league pitchers with at least 15 starts and 20 relief appearances. Only Mike Minor and Lance Lynn pitched more innings for Texas.The 28-year-old made his big league debut with a start for Seattle in 2016. He was 6-11 with a 5.64 ERA the past two seasons for Texas.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Oct. 71904 — Jack Chesbro got his 41st victory of the season as New York defeated the Boston Red Sox 3-2.1933 — Mel Ott's home run in the 10th inning to give the New York Giants for a 4-3 victory and the World Championship in five games over the Washington Senators.1935 — Detroit's Goose Goslin drove in Mickey Cochrane with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Tigers a 4-3 win and the World Championship in six games over the Chicago Cubs.1950 — Rookie pitcher Whitey Ford, with ninth-inning help from Allie Reynolds, beat Philadelphia 5-2 to give the Yankees a World Series sweep of the "Whiz Kids."1952 — Billy Martin's running catch on a high infield pop with the bases loaded in the seventh inning snuffed a Dodgers rally and the New York Yankees went on to win Game 7 of the World Series 4-2. It was the fourth consecutive world championship for the Yankees.1969 — The St. Louis Cardinals traded outfielder Curt Flood to the Philadelphia Phillies in a blockbuster deal involving... [More]

Oct. 61915 _ Philadelphia rookie Elmer Myers made a spectacular debut by striking out 12 Washington batters while allowing just two hits. Myers walked 5 in the 4-0 win his only game this year.1926 _ Babe Ruth hit three homers to lead the Yankees to a 10-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth game of the World Series.1948 _ In the opening game of the World Series, the Boston Braves beat Bob Feller and the Cleveland Indians 1-0 with two hits and the benefit of a disputed call on a pickoff attempt in the eighth by Feller.1963 _ Frank Howard led Los Angeles to a 2-1 win over the New York Yankees with a home run and a single, giving the Dodgers a four-game sweep in the World Series.1966 _ Jim Palmer, 20, became the youngest player to pitch a World Series shutout as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-0. Sandy Koufax was the loser, his last appearance in the major leagues. Dodger outfielder Willie Davis committed three errors on successive plays in the fifth inning.1978... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:DUCKS ACROSS THE PONDHigh cheese has come to the land of high tea. The Red Sox and Yankees will begin their two-game series in London, with Boston's Rick Porcello facing New York's Masahiro Tanaka at Olympic Stadium, home of the West Ham soccer club. Hitters figure to have a jolly old time with the center field wall a cozy 385 feet away. "Hopefully, we'll poke a couple out," Yankees slugger Aaron Judge said, smiling after batting practice Friday.TWO-WAY RAYBrendan McKay will make his major league debut on the mound for Tampa Bay. The two-way prospect was 3-0 with a 1.08 ERA in five games with Triple-A Durham, where he also spent time as the DH. Rays manager Kevin Cash said the left-hander will also pitch against the Yankees on July 5, and that discussions are on-going about how many at-bats the 2017 first-round pick will get while he's with the big club. He'll face Rangers right-hander Adrian Sampson (6-4) in his first start.LEFT OUTThe... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:DUCKS ACROSS THE PONDHigh cheese has come to the land of high tea. The Red Sox and Yankees will begin their two-game series in London, with Boston's Rick Porcello facing New York's Masahiro Tanaka at Olympic Stadium, home of the West Ham soccer club. Hitters figure to have a jolly old time with the center field wall a cozy 385 feet away. "Hopefully, we'll poke a couple out," Yankees slugger Aaron Judge said, smiling after batting practice Friday.TWO-WAY RAYBrendan McKay will make his major league debut on the mound for Tampa Bay. The two-way prospect was 3-0 with a 1.08 ERA in five games with Triple-A Durham, where he also spent time as the DH. Rays manager Kevin Cash said the left-hander will also pitch against the Yankees on July 5, and that discussions are on-going about how many at-bats the 2017 first-round pick will get while he's with the big club. He'll face Rangers right-hander Adrian Sampson (6-4) in his first start.LEFT OUTThe... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Johan Camargo had a two-run, pinch-hit homer in the 10th inning, and the Atlanta Braves beat the Washington Nationals 4-3 Sunday to win their fifth straight series.Overcoming an injury to standout rookie starting pitcher Mike Soroka, the Braves used the long ball and their bullpen to win the deciding matchup of a three-game set between NL East rivals.Camargo connected off Tanner Rainey (1-2) after Ozzie Albies drew a one-out walk, and Atlanta held on for its seventh victory in 10 extra-inning games this season.Josh Donaldson and Ronald Acuña Jr. also went deep for the first-place Braves.Juan Soto homered for the Nationals, who have lost two in a row following a five-game win streak.A.J. Minter (2-4) worked the ninth and Luke Jackson earned his 11th save despite giving up a run, two hits and a walk.ASTROS 9, YANKEES 4NEW YORK (AP) — Jose Altuve hit a leadoff homer, rookie Yordan Alvarez connected again and Houston ended its first seven-game skid in four years.New York had... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Johan Camargo had a two-run, pinch-hit homer in the 10th inning, and the Atlanta Braves beat the Washington Nationals 4-3 Sunday to win their fifth straight series.Overcoming an injury to standout rookie starting pitcher Mike Soroka, the Braves used the long ball and their bullpen to win the deciding matchup of a three-game set between NL East rivals.Camargo connected off Tanner Rainey (1-2) after Ozzie Albies drew a one-out walk, and Atlanta held on for its seventh victory in 10 extra-inning games this season.Josh Donaldson and Ronald Acuña Jr. also went deep for the first-place Braves.Juan Soto homered for the Nationals, who have lost two in a row following a five-game win streak.A.J. Minter (2-4) worked the ninth and Luke Jackson earned his 11th save despite giving up a run, two hits and a walk.ASTROS 9, YANKEES 4NEW YORK (AP) — Jose Altuve hit a leadoff homer, rookie Yordan Alvarez connected again and Houston ended its first seven-game skid in four years.New York had... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:ACES UPVeteran left-handers Jon Lester and Clayton Kershaw square off when the Chicago Cubs visit the Los Angeles Dodgers for the opener of a four-game series. Lester is looking for his third straight victory for Chicago. He allowed four runs in the first Saturday night against St. Louis, but managed to go six innings in a 9-4 win. Kershaw is 0-1 in two June starts for the NL West leaders, but the three-time Cy Young Award winner has allowed just two earned runs in 14 innings this month.YOU AGAINPirates right-hander Joe Musgrove (4-6, 4.40 ERA) starts for the second time in a four-game series at Atlanta after getting ejected in the first inning Monday following a confrontation with Braves third baseman Josh Donaldson. The fracas began when Musgrove grazed Donaldson's jersey with a pitch. As Donaldson began walking to first base, he exchanged glares with Musgrove and took a few steps toward the mound. Donaldson shoved Elias Díaz when the... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Thursday:ACES UPLefty aces Jon Lester and Clayton Kershaw square off when the Chicago Cubs visit the Los Angeles Dodgers for the opener of a four-game series. Lester is looking for his third straight victory for Chicago. He allowed four runs in the first Saturday night against St. Louis, but managed to go six innings in the Cubs' 9-4 win. Kershaw is 0-1 in two June starts for NL West-leading Los Angeles, but the three-time Cy Young Award winner has allowed just two earned runs in 14 innings this month.BACK TO SCHOOLTwo days before the College World Series begins in Omaha, Nebraska, Major League Baseball comes to town for the first time to mark the occasion with a special regular-season game. The Tigers and Royals play at the home of Kansas City's top farm club, which doubles as the site for the CWS every June.HELP ON THE WAYWith Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge on their way back from injuries, the New York Yankees hit the road for a four-game... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Thursday:ACES UPLefty aces Jon Lester and Clayton Kershaw face off when the Chicago Cubs visit the Los Angeles Dodgers for the opener of a four-game series. Lester is looking for his third straight victory for Chicago. He allowed four runs in the first Saturday night against St. Louis, but managed to go six innings in the Cubs' 9-4 win. Kershaw is 0-1 in two June starts for NL West-leading Los Angeles, but the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner has allowed just two earned runs in 14 innings this month.HELP ON THE WAYWith Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge on their way back from injuries, the New York Yankees hit the road for a four-game series against the Chicago White Sox. Stanton homered twice in a minor league rehab game with Class A Tampa on Wednesday night. He has been sidelined by biceps, shoulder and calf injuries. Judge, who is coming back from a strained left oblique, could start a rehab assignment this weekend with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Max Scherzer struck out a season high 15, allowing three hits over eight innings to lead the Washington Nationals over Cincinnati 4-1 on Sunday, their 12th win in 14 games against the Reds.When manager Dave Martinez visited the mound with a runner on second and two outs in the ninth, Scherzer told him emphatically to keep him in the game. Scherzer then fanned Joey Votto on three straight called strikes.Scherzer (3-5) reached double figures in strikeouts for the fourth time in 13 starts this season and 86th time in his career,Sean Doolittle pitched a perfect ninth for his 12th save as Washington won for the seventh time in nine games.Sonny Gray (2-5) gave up two runs and five hits in five innings.Anthony Rendon had three hits, including an RBI single in the first, and raised his average to .331.YANKEES 8, RED SOX 5NEW YORK (AP) — David Price finally won at Yankee Stadium for the first time with the Boston Red Sox, backed by early homers from J.D. Martinez and Xander Bogaerts.Boston... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Max Scherzer struck out a season high 15, allowing three hits over eight innings to lead the Washington Nationals over Cincinnati 4-1 on Sunday, their 12th win in 14 games against the Reds.When manager Dave Martinez visited the mound with a runner on second and two outs in the ninth, Scherzer told him emphatically to keep him in the game. Scherzer then fanned Joey Votto on three straight called strikes.Scherzer (3-5) reached double figures in strikeouts for the fourth time in 13 starts this season and 86th time in his career,Sean Doolittle pitched a perfect ninth for his 12th save as Washington won for the seventh time in nine games.Sonny Gray (2-5) gave up two runs and five hits in five innings.Anthony Rendon had three hits, including an RBI single in the first, and raised his average to .331.TWINS 9, RAYS 7ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Jake Odorizzi (8-2) won his eighth straight decision, allowing three hits and striking out nine in six scoreless innings to lower his AL-best... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — J.D. Martinez hit two homers, rookie Michael Chavis drove in five runs and the surging Boston Red Sox beat the stumbling Seattle Mariners 11-2 to complete a three-game sweep Sunday at soggy Fenway Park.The World Series champions have won five straight games and 16 of 22 following a 6-13 start.Omar Narváez homered for Seattle (20-23), which has lost four in a row and 15 of 19 after opening 13-2. The Mariners were outscored 34-8 in the series, completing a 2-8 trip.Hector Velázquez (1-2) gave up two runs in five innings for the Red Sox. Marco Gonzales (5-2) gave up four runs, two earned, in four innings.YANKEES 7, RAYS 1ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Masahiro Tanaka (3-3) matched his season high of seven innings, allowing one run and five hits with seven strikeouts and no walks to outpitch reigning Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell. New York closed back within one-half game of AL East-leading Tampa Bay.Thairo Estrada homered just after play resumed following a ninth-inning power... [More]