RHP Keyvius Sampson was signed to a minor-league contract. Sampson went 2-7 with a 5.60 ERA in 31 games (14 starts) with Cincinnati in 2015 and 2016.

RHP Keyvius Sampson says he is not auditioning for a starting role next season. He will take any role. "I just want to be here," he said. Sampson tossed 4 2/3 scoreless innings Monday night against the Brewers. Although he fell one out shy of qualifying for a victory, Sampson gave up only four hits while walking two with seven strikeouts in his second spot start this season.

RHP Keyvius Sampson was recalled from Triple-A Louisville. He's 0-1 with a 3.99 ERA in 12 appearances with the Reds this season and 3-3 with a 1.88 ERA with Louisville.

RHP Keyvius Sampson threw a season-high five innings of relief Sunday at Milwaukee, allowing just a run on two hits and a walk while striking out four. It was the first five-inning stint for a Cincinnati reliever since LHP David Holmberg did it on Sept. 6. 2014.

RHP Keyvius Sampson did his job Saturday in a spot start, his first of the season. Sampson allowed one run and four hits in 4 1/3 innings with two walks and six strikeouts. With Homer Bailey's return date not yet certain, Sampson kept himself in the conversation to make another start if needed. "Until we sign off on Homer ... if he's not ready to go, Keyvius did nothing to discourage us from using him in that role again," manager Bryan Price said.

RHP Keyvius Sampson will start Saturday against the Diamondbacks. He pitched four scoreless innings in his last relief appearance, which was a career high and season high for a Reds reliever. It will be his 13th major league start and his first this season.

RHP Keyvius Sampson pitched a career-high four innings on Saturday, allowing three hits with two walks and five strikeouts. It was the longest outing for a Reds relief pitcher this season.

RHP Keyvius Sampson was recalled from Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday. He was scheduled to start at Triple-A on Wednesday, so he gives the Reds some length coming off a 15-inning loss on Tuesday. Sampson owns a 7.71 ERA with the Reds but posted a 2.06 ERA in nine appearances at Triple-A. "We've had great reports on Keyvius," said manager Bryan Price. "He's one of the guys our staff recommends." Sampson allowed one earned run in 2 2/3 innings on Wednesday.

RHP Keyvius Sampson was optioned to Triple-A Louisville following Saturday's game. He made two appearances since being promoted from Triple-A on Wednesday allowing two earned runs and four hits in four innings of work.

RHP Keyvius Sampson had his contract selected from Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday and surrendered a go-ahead homer to Indians SS Francisco Lindor on his first pitch in the top of the 12th inning. Sampson had posted a 1.37 ERA in seven appearances including three starts since being optioned on April 17. "I went down there with the game plan and the mindset to do everything I could to get back here," said Sampson before Wednesday's game. He'd been working on his fastball command in the minors and throwing his slider for strikes, resulting in 20 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings at Triple-A. "He had better stuff and better command," said manager Bryan Price. "But it was the same ending, unfortunately."

RHP Keyvius Sampson, who was designated for assignment earlier in the week, was outrighted to Triple-A Louisville.

RHP Keyvius Sampson was designated for assignment on Wednesday. Sampson allowed four earned runs in three innings this season.

RHP Keyvius Sampson was optioned to Louisville to make room for RHP Jon Moscot. Sampson appeared in two games out of the bullpen, pitching to a 12.00 ERA over three innings. Sampson gave up four hits, including a pair of homers, and four walks with three strikeouts. He has a chance to return to Cincinnati at some point this year as its pitching figures to remain in a constant state of flux.

Sampson allowed four runs on three hits, walking two and striking out seven over five-plus innings, coming away with a no-decision against the Pirates on Friday night.

Sampson (2-6, 6.54 ERA) struggled again and has done little to underscore the likelihood he can contribute to the Reds in 2016. He's given up 67 hits in 52.1 innings, and holds a disappointing 44:26 K:BB ratio. He has a live arm, but he'll need to show more to put himself into the consideration set for fantasy owners.

Sampson took a no decision Tuesday against the Cardinals as he allowed just one run on four hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out one.

Sampson is still hardly missing any bats, as he induced just seven swinging strikes and continues to struggle to get strikeouts. Sampson still has just one quality start on the season and a brutal 33:24 K:BB ratio. His ERA sits at 6.45, and he still looks far away from becoming a major league quality pitcher.

Sampson will start Tuesday against the Cardinals.

The right-hander was effectively skipped the last time through, with the Reds wanting to get a look at Josh Smith and Brandon Finnegan, but Sampson will return Tuesday to oppose John Lackey. Sampson has struggled mightily with the big club this season (7.09 ERA, 1.86 WHIP), and it's hard to imagine he will be in the mix for a rotation spot next spring.

Sampson is no longer scheduled to start for the Reds on Saturday in Milwaukee.

He'll be replaced by Josh Smith in the rotation. The Reds haven't announced a plan to shut Sampson down thus far, but he's struggled as a starter at Triple-A and in the big leagues this season while pushing his workload to 122 innings over three levels this season after tossing 91.2 innings at Triple-A El Paso for the Padres in 2014.

Sampson fell to 2-5 after allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks Monday against San Francisco. He didn't strike out a batter.

Sampson has thrown just one quality start in his nine major league starts, and he has failed to get through the fourth inning in four of his past six starts. Sampson's ERA keeps rising, now up to 7.09 from 3.18 on August 13.

Sampson (2-4) allowed five runs on five hits and three walks in 5.1 innings against the Pirates on Wednesday.

Once again, Sampson struggled to keep runners on base, as free passes have been a major issue for him this year. He's struck out 32 in 36.1 innings, but has also walked 19 in that span, and opposing hitters are hitting well over .300 off him. It all adds up to fantasy poison -- or a nice option to stack against in daily leagues if he gets another start. Of course, it seems doubtful that the Reds will subject their beleaguered fans to that.

Sampson gave up three runs on five hits and three walks over three innings in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Brewers.

A lengthy rain delay followed the third inning, so Sampson didn't come out for more, but arguably could have been lifted on merit. After a decent couple of starts to begin his big league career, Sampson has been torched recently, seeing his ERA and WHIP skyrocket to 6.68 and 1.870 respectively.