Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Starts throwing again
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Thompson (back) began a throwing program Monday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Arizona placed Thompson on the 15-day injured list Aug. 5, so his ability to start throwing soon after being deactivated suggests that he won't be in line for an extended stay on the shelf. Thompson had collected seven holds and four wins while pitching to a 4.43 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in 40.2 innings over 46 appearances out of the Arizona bullpen prior to landing on the IL.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Lands on IL with back injury
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The Diamondbacks placed Thompson on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to a lower-back strain, Jody Jackson of DBacks.tv reports.
Thompson may have tweaked his back during his last appearance in a 9-4 loss to Padres on Tuesday, when he allowed one run on three hits and one walk in just one-third of an inning. To bolster their bullpen in Thompson's absence, the Diamondbacks recalled southpaw Philip Abner from Triple-A Reno.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Produces another scoreless outing
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Thompson (1-0) retired all three batters faced in a scoreless ninth inning to record the win in Wednesday's 8-5 extra-inning victory over the Orioles.
Thompson induced two groundouts and a flyout en route to his first win of 2026 and has yet to allow a run over 11 appearances (7.2 innings). The submarining right-hander has not allowed a baserunner in his last six outings.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Works back-to-back days
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Thompson threw a scoreless seventh inning in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Dodgers.
Thompson made quick work of the Dodgers, needing just seven pitches (all strikes) to retire the side in order. He's worked both regular-season games thus far and has retired all six batters faced. The right-hander is in the mix for save opportunities and will generally appear in high-leverage situations.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Scoreless outing
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Thompson struck out one over a hitless and scoreless inning in Sunday's spring game against Cleveland.
This was the second Cactus League appearance for the side-arming Thompson, who is in the mix to pick up save opportunities for the Diamondbacks. He entered Sunday's game in the third inning -- just like his first outing Feb. 26 -- when the opponent's regulars were still in the game. Thompson was immediately followed by Kevin Ginkel, another reliever that could get save chances. Arizona's closer situation is not resolved and could be a committee solution to start the regular season.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Addresses pitch-tipping issue
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Thompson said he addressed an issue of tipping pitches that impacted him early in 2025, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.
Thompson was uncharacteristically ineffective over the first 19 outings last season, leaving a May 19 appearance with a 7.50 ERA while allowing 2.0 home runs per nine innings. Once the side-armer discovered he was tipping pitches and addressed the issue, Thompson finished with a stretch of 29 games during which he posted a 1.16 ERA and did not allow a home run over 23.1 innings. The right-hander enters spring training as part of an unsettled bullpen without a closer and could pick up save opportunities on 2026. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo included Thompson along with Kevin Ginkel and Paul Sewald as potential closers.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Inks $3.95 million deal
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The Diamondbacks and Thompson avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.95 million contract Thursday, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.
Thompson had been arbitration-eligible for a final time, and he will be entering his walk year. The veteran reliever has been a quality performer in manager Torey Lovullo's bullpen, posting a 3.21 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 97:29 K:BB across 120.2 regular-season frames during his time in Arizona. Thompson will be in the late-inning mix as part of an unsettled Diamondbacks bullpen in 2026.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Makes second rehab appearance
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Thompson (shoulder) struck out a batter over a perfect inning during his rehab appearance for Triple-A Reno on Friday.
Friday's rehab outing was Thompson's second of the week, and Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo indicated Saturday that the reliever is likely to be activated when rosters expand Monday, per MLB.com. The right-hander has been on the 15-day injured list since July 6 due to a left trapezius strain.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Next step TBD
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Thompson (shoulder) is scheduled to throw Friday after pitching a scoreless inning for Triple-A Reno on Tuesday, MLB.com reports.
The outing Tuesday was the first game appearance of a rehab assignment for Thompson. Following a live batting practice and a sim game, Tuesday's appearance was expected to be his final step before activation; however, the report indicates Friday's throwing session is the only confirmed next step in the process. The Diamondbacks may be waiting for September when rosters can be expanded be to 28 players (14 pitchers).
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Scheduled for rehab game
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Thompson (shoulder) is scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Reno on Tuesday, MLB.com reports.
This is expected to be Thompson's final step before activation. The right-hander could immediately be added to Arizona's unsettled closer mix once he rejoins the roster.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Throws sim game
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Thompson (shoulder) threw a simulated game Friday, MLB.com reports.
Thompson has been throwing regularly the last two weeks and has graduated to sessions that mimic a game environment, meaning he's getting up and down multiple times. The next step is expected to be a minor-league or a camp game before the right-hander is activated.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Throws bullpen session
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Thompson (shoulder) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Thursday, MLB.com reports.
Thompson, who is dealing with a strain of his lower right trapezius muscle, threw his second bullpen in three days. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo noted the right-hander has responded well to the work, but his return date remains uncertain. Thompson last pitched for the Diamondbacks on July 4.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Begins throwing program
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Thompson (shoulder) has begun a throwing program, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.
Thompson landed on the 15-day injured list with a scapular strain earlier this month. No timeline has been established for the return of the side-arming righty, who is needed in an Arizona bullpen that's been hammered by injuries.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Earns hold in win
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Thompson allowed one hit and struck out two over a scoreless seventh inning in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Mets.
Thompson picked up his fourth hold, serving as the first of three relievers to preserve the lead after starter Zac Gallen went six strong innings. In the wake of injuries to Arizona's co-closers A.J. Puk (elbow) and Justin Martinez (shoulder), Thompson will be part of the setup crew and could possibly get save chances. On Thursday, Thompson was followed by Kevin Ginkel in the eighth and Shelby Miller for the save in the ninth.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Needs help in ninth inning
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Thompson allowed two runs on two hits while striking out one over a third of an inning in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Yankees.
Thompson entered to start the ninth inning and close out a 4-0 lead, but he ran into early trouble and was removed after giving up a couple of singles. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo brought in one of his closers, the left-handed A.J. Puk, to face the mostly left-handed batters due up. The one righty in that string of batters, Anthony Volpe, took Puk deep for a three-run home run. Thompson was a reliable arm in a setup role for the Diamondbacks in 2024, primarily serving as a seventh- and eighth-inning bridge.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Notches first save
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Thompson earned a save against Washington on Wednesday, issuing a walk and striking out a batter over a scoreless two-thirds of an inning.
Paul Sewald got a chance at a save with Arizona up three runs entering the ninth frame, but he retired only one batter while walking three and allowing a double. Thompson then came in to put out the fire and did so successfully despite allowing an inherited runner to score on a passed ball and issuing an intentional walk. After the game, Arizona manager Torey Lovullo was non-committal about Sewald remaining the team's closer, but that doesn't necessarily mean that Thompson would get the next crack at the role if a change is made. The right-hander has been very successful in a setup role this season with a 1.81 ERA, 19 holds and 32:5 K:BB, yet Kevin Ginkel and A.J. Puk -- both of whom pitched before the ninth frame Wednesday -- have more closing experience and would be more likely candidates to step in as closer, temporarily or otherwise, if Sewald is moved out of the role.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Makes fifth scoreless appearance
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Thompson allowed a hit and struck out one over 1.1 scoreless innings in Friday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to Atlanta.
Thompson made his fifth appearance and has yet to give up a run or walk. On a night when the bullpen blew a three-run lead -- including a blown save by fill-in closer Kevin Ginkel -- Thompson's performance stood out. Thompson worked the eighth and ninth innings in his previous appearances this season before entering Friday's game in the sixth.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Could get save chances
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Thompson moves up a spot in the bullpen following the news that closer Paul Sewald (oblique) will open the season on the injured list.
Arizona manager Torey Lovullo didn't immediately name any one reliever as a replacement closer, although he did tell Steve Gilbert of MLB.com that there is "a very logical choice." By that, Lovullo was referring to Kevin Ginkel, who is expected to serve as the primary closer while Sewald heals. Lovullo also said he is not going to "anoint anybody to close right now," leaving the door open for others, like Thompson. He was an important late-inning, setup reliever after being traded to the Diamondbacks during the stretch drive in 2023. Thompson recorded a 0.69 ERA over 13 innings in the regular season and was a featured high-leverage option during the postseason. The right-hander continued his fine work this spring, allowing one unearned run over seven innings.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Sets up save
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Thompson allowed one hit while striking out two over a scoreless inning in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the White Sox.
Thompson pitched the eighth inning, preserving the lead for Paul Sewald who converted the save. Kevin Ginkel is normally the choice to pitch the eighth inning of close games, but manager Torey Lovullo went another way after Ginkel's most recent outing Monday when he was tagged with the loss. The manager rewarded Thompson, who has been effective since being added to the Diamondbacks' bullpen in late August. The reliever has a 0.75 ERA and 0.50 WHIP over 12 innings.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Notches save in team debut
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Thompson struck out one batter in a perfect inning and earned a save against the Reds on Sunday.
Thompson was promoted from Triple-A Reno on Sunday and was thrown right into a save situation. He posted a 6.11 ERA in 17.2 innings with the Rays this season before being designated for assignment. Scott McGough threw 1.2 innings while Paul Sewald did not appear in Sunday's game.
