There was no expectation for Sampson to push for the Opening Day roster, but the 32-year-old would have liked to have had a better outing if this was his last one during Spring Training. In his two starts, Sampson pitched 6 2/3 innings and allowed 11 hits and nine earned runs with a 12.15 ERA. The right-hander has experience with the Rangers as he was with the club from 2017-2019 where he pitched in 40 games (19 starts) and posted a 5.64 ERA with a 116/40 K/BB ratio over three seasons.

Sampson did not play in the majors in 2023 and saw limited action in the minors after having knee surgery last May. This will be Sampson’s second stint with the defending champion Texas Rangers. He was with the club from 2017-2019 where he pitched in 40 games (19 starts) and posted a 5.64 ERA with a 116/40 K/BB ratio over three seasons. The 32-year-old spent the 2020 season in Korea and with the Cubs during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. He was very effective in Chicago where he posted a 3.03 ERA over 139 2/3 innings (24 starts). This is a low-cost depth option for the Rangers and Sampson enters camp with familiarity with the organization.

Sampson has been jettisoned just a few days after being acquired from the Cubs in a three-player swap at the trade deadline. The 31-year-old righty has made 72 appearances (44 starts) in the big leagues dating back to 2016. He’ll presumably be able to find a new opportunity somewhere else to close out the 2023 campaign.

Sampson is the most likely to contribute for the Rays over the final two months as he’s made 72 appearances (44 starts) in the big leagues dating back to 2016. The 31-year-old righty hasn’t pitched in the majors this season, and missed a significant portion of the year due to knee surgery, but could wind up helping down the home stretch.