Hayden Wesneski making his case for fifth-starter job

Charles Rex Arbogast/AP

Cubs relief pitcher Hayden Wesneski delivers during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, in Chicago. The Cubs won 9-3.GLENDALE, Ariz. — If spring training results truly matter, rookie Hayden Wesneski has the inside track at earning the fifth spot in the Cubs’ rotation.

Wesneski pitched four perfect innings Saturday, punctuated by striking out the side of Miguel Rojas, Max Muncy and J.D. Martinez in the fourth inning to complete a sterling 47-pitch performance against the Dodgers.

Wesneski is competing against veteran Adrian Sampson, who starts Sunday against the Brewers. Sampson, 31, has pitched 72 games over parts of…