Cubs Make Surprising Roster Moves, Sampson Optioned

The Chicago Cubs made two more roster moves on Saturday in order to trim the roster ahead of the 2023 MLB season. 

Pitcher Vinny Nittoli was re-assigned to minor league camp, a move that was seen as an almost certainty following his spring. The former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher was brought in to see if he could contribute at the MLB level this spring. However, he had fallen out of competition for a bullpen spot.

The most surprising move was Adrian Sampson being optioned to Triple-A Iowa. Sampson was seen as the front runner for the fifth spot in the rotation at the beginning of spring. 

However, Hayden Wesneski has impressed so much that it appears he has forced his way into the rotation by winning the competition. 

Sampson will now have to wait to until an injury frees a spot or one of the younger starters underperforms. The starter has not looked strong this spring allowing 17 earned runs in 17.2 innings pitched. 

The roster now stands at 39.