RHP Adrian Sampson signs minor league deal with Texas Rangers that includes spring invite
SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Right-hander Adrian Sampson
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has signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers that includes an invitation to spring training with the World Series champions that opens Wednesday.
Sampson is returning to the Rangers for the first time since 2019. The 32-year-old didn’t pitch in the majors last season after right knee surgery in May while in the Chicago Cubs organization.
After going 6-11 with a 5.64 ERA in 40 games (19 starts) with Texas in 2018 and 2019, Sampson spent one season with the Lotte Giants in Korea Baseball Organization. He went 5-7 with a 3.03 ERA in 31 games for the Cubs in 2021 and 2022.
Sampson is 11-19 with a 4.43 ERA in 72 career games (44 starts) over five big league seasons. He made his MLB debut with a single start for Seattle in 2016.
Sampson was the 29th non-roster player signed to go to spring training with the Rangers.
What to know about the Texas Rangers before the start of spring training on Wednesday
The Texas Rangers will officially open defense of their World Series title on Wednesday when they begin spring training in Surprise, Ariz.
The Rangers won their first World Series championship after posting a regular-season record of 90-72.
Bruce Bochy enters his second year at the helm of the Texas Rangers. The Rangers were less busy in this offseason than they have been in the past, instead focusing on resigning existing players.
The Rangers enter the upcoming season with the fifth-best odds of winning the World Series title according to Fanduel.
Pitchers and catchers report for spring training on Wednesday with the first full team workout on Monday. The Rangers open spring training against the Kansas City Royals at 2:05 on Feb. 23 at Surprise Stadium.
Here’s what to look for as the Rangers prepare for spring training as the Ranger and prepare for their first-ever regular season title defense.
Key free-agent departures
The Rangers retained most of the key players from their title run, but did lose several key pieces including relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman who signed a one-year deal with the San Diego Padres.
The Rangers also lost backup catcher and designated hitter Mitch Garver
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, who signed a two-year contract with the Seattle Mariners, and pitcher, Martin Perez who signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Injury status for Rangers
Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer are both slated to miss the beginning of the regular season with an elbow injury and a lower back injury. The Rangers will also be without Jordan Montgomery who has not resigned, but remains a free agent. MLB insiders predict Montgomery will resign with the Rangers.
Free agent signing Tyler Mahle, who signed a two-year $22 Million contract, will recover from Tommy John surgery and most likely will not appear until closer to the all-star break.
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