Earlier Monday, the Cubs optioned Adrian Sampson to Triple-A Iowa. That was done in order to meet MLB’s mandate, effective today, that the Cubs (and all MLB teams) needed to get down to MLB’s 13-pitcher limit on the active roster, so this move accomplishes both. Sampson threw 56 pitches Sunday, so he wouldn’t have been available for a few days anyway.
To replace Sampson on the 26-man active roster, outfielder Nelson Velázquez was recalled from Iowa. Velázquez went 2-for-7 in the doubleheader against the Brewers May 30 in his major league debut.
Combined between Iowa and Double-A Tennessee this year, Velázquez is hitting .