Chicago Cubs to be Without Justin Steele, Adrian Sampson in Toronto

The Chicago Cubs will be without the services of two starting pitchers for the team's upcoming series against the Toronto Blue Jays due to Canada's COVID-19 vaccine requirements.

Chicago Cubs General Manager Jed Hoyer announced earlier in the week that the team would be down a couple of players for its upcoming series against the Toronto Blue Jays because of Canada's requirement of the COVID-19 vaccine for entry into the country.

It was reported who those players would be by The Athletic's Patrick Mooney that starting pitchers Adrian Sampson and Justin Steele were two who would not be making the trip to the great white north. 

Sampson's spot in the rotation was not scheduled to go in Toronto with the righty starting the series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers, but Steele's turn in the order was in fact due to go in the third and final game against the Blue Jays.

Chicago will have two roster spots open for the upcoming series and should they opt to look for an alternative starting option, Triple-A Iowa has a couple of options. Matt Swarmer made several starts at the big-league level this season and has a 2.66 ERA as a part of the Iowa Cubs rotation, so it's possible he could be considered.

Another option to start could be Hayden Wesneski, who was acquired at the deadline from the New York Yankees in exchange for Scott Effross. The righty is coming off back-to-back good outings, and is likely one of the more major-league-ready arms in the system.

Though Caleb Kilian has also made a few starts in the majors this season, the righty made his scheduled start with Iowa on Sunday, making it highly unlikely for him to get the nod. 

Chicago's three-game set in Toronto begins at 6:07 p.m. CDT Monday and concludes at the same time Wednesday.

More From SI's Inside The Cubs

1. Could the Cubs Land Trea Turner in the Offseason?
2. Did David Robertson Net the Cubs a Future Star in Ben Brown?
3. Hoerner is the Cubs Shortstop of the Future
4. Cubs Could Give Canario a Shot in September
5. Chicago Cubs Have a New Top Prospect in Their Rankings
6. Is This Top Cubs Prospect Destined for the Mound at Wrigley?
7. Steele Offers Glimpse Into Future of Cubs Rotation
8. Cubs, Reds, and Field of Dreams: Out Here in the Fields

---

Make sure to follow Inside the Cubs on Twitter!