Cubs Place Two On Restricted List

The Chicago Cubs are the next team to travel to Rogers Centre for the first time this season, and thus, their two unvaccinated players have come to light, as left-hander Justin Steele and right-hander Adrian Sampson have been placed on the restricted list. They'll be without pay and without service time for the three days. 

Border restrictions for both the U.S. and Canada prevent non-resident unvaccinated individuals from crossing into the other country. 

Ordinarily, there's a four-day period since their last outing before starting pitchers can be replaced for going on the restricted list. But luckily (or not) for the Cubs, Sampson had a poor enough outing on Sunday to circumvent those rules. 

The Cubs are able to replace Sampson because he did not throw four consecutive innings in his start today. https://t.co/NduSrtXM4A

— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) August 28, 2022

Because the righty didn't make it through four innings on Sunday, he is eligible to be replaced. 

Overall, Sampson has a 3.97 ERA and 1.34 WHIP, while striking out just 6.9 batters per nine. 

Steele missing his next scheduled start is a bigger loss for the Cubs, as he's had a sterling 0.98 ERA over his last seven starts, with a 47:13 K/BB ratio over that period. He has a 3.18 ERA overall this season in his 2nd year in the big leagues. He is also, however, dealing with lower-back tightness.

LHP Brendon Little and RHP Jeremiah Estrada have been called up to replace Sampson and Steele.

Photos: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports, Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports