MESA, Ariz. – If the Cubs’ improved pitching depth wasn’t already clear, it was obvious when they optioned Adrian Sampson to Triple-A, moved Javier Assad to the bullpen and outrighted Rowan Wick over the past few days.
“The hope is that the pitching depth is in a much different place than it was a year ago,” president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said. “And that can really help us because there are going to be injuries, we’re going to need it.”
The Cubs have built some of that depth via trades. The Cubs acquired Hayden Wesneski, now their fifth starter on the Opening Day roster, at the deadline last year, sending reliever Scott Effross to the Yankees.