Thompson agreed to a contract with the Cubs on Friday to avoid arbitration, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Thompson has bounced between Triple-A Iowa and the big leagues for the last two seasons, but he was effective out of the bullpen across 30.1 innings for the Cubs in 2024 by maintaining a 2.67 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. His control (14.2 BB%) will likely keep him from a high-leverage role, but he should contribute as a reliever in 2025.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Notches one-out save
Rotowire
Thompson struck out the only batter he faced to earn a save over the Nationals on Friday.
Thompson struck out Dylan Crews with two runners on base to finish off the 7-6 win. It was Thompson's second save of the year and first since June 18. He's currently riding a 6.2-inning scoreless streak at the MLB level, lowering his season ERA to 3.26. Thompson took over the ninth inning after Tyson Miller and Drew Smyly each recorded one out, while Porter Hodge hasn't been called upon since a 36-pitch appearance Wednesday.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Recalled from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Cubs recalled Thompson from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
He'll absorb the roster spot vacated by Julian Merryweather (knee), who went on the 15-day injured list. Thompson, 29, has posted a 3.50 ERA and 26:10 K:BB over 18 innings during his time with the big club in 2024.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Activated, sent to minors
Rotowire
The Cubs reinstated Thompson (rib) from the 15-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Iowa, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Thompson had been on the shelf since late June with a right rib fracture but is back to full health after making four rehab appearances. The Cubs don't have a spot in the bullpen available for Thompson at the moment, but the right-hander should rank near the top of the list for a call-up if the club needs a fresh relief arm at any point.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Throwing live batting practice
Rotowire
Thompson (ribs) will throw a live batting practice session Tuesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
It would appear to be the first time he's faced hitters since going down with a right rib fracture in late June. Thompson should be cleared for a rehab assignment soon if all goes well, with a return likely pegged for early August.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Placed on injured list
Rotowire
The Cubs placed Thompson on the 15-day injured list Friday with a right rib fracture, retroactive to Thursday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Thompson has fired 5.1 scoreless innings since returning from Triple-A Iowa on June 16, but he'll now be sidelined for at least the next two weeks as a result of his injury. Ethan Roberts will come up from the minors to fill the vacancy in Chicago's bullpen.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Returns from paternity leave
Rotowire
The Cubs reinstated Thompson from the paternity list Saturday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Thompson has been away from the team since Wednesday due to the birth of his son, and he'll now rejoin the Cubs' bullpen ahead of Saturday's game versus the Mets. In order to make room on the roster, Luke Little was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Goes on paternity leave
Rotowire
The Cubs placed Thompson on the paternity list prior to Wednesday's game against the Giants, Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.
After striking out the side in Tuesday's 5-2 win to net his first save of the season, Thompson will be away from the team for at least the next 1-to-3 games following the birth of his son earlier Wednesday. The Cubs called up right-hander Porter Hodge from Triple-A Iowa to take Thompson's spot in the bullpen.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Recalled from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Cubs recalled Thompson from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Thompson will provide a fresh arm for a bullpen that was needed to cover 7.1 innings Friday. He holds a 4.97 ERA and 19:6 K:BB over 12.2 relief innings during his time with the Cubs this season.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Activated, staying at Triple-A
Rotowire
Thompson (illness) was activated from the 15-day injured list Friday and was optioned to Triple-A Iowa, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Thompson has been recovering from a viral illness since mid-May and was rehabbing with Triple-A Iowa this week. While he's over the illness, he'll stick around in the minors, where he started this season. He's appeared in three games for Iowa during his rehab stint, yielding one run on three hits with six Ks over 4.2 innings.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Placed on IL
Rotowire
The Cubs placed Thompson on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a viral illness, Ryan Herrera of MLB.com reports.
He will be sidelined at least until late May while he recovers from the ailment. Luke Little was recalled from Triple-A Iowa to take Thompson's spot on the Cubs' 26-man active roster and in their bullpen.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Continues strong play
Rotowire
Thompson tossed 2.2 scoreless innings of relief in Friday's 7-1 win over the Red Sox. He allowed two hits and a walk, while striking out two.
Thompson has still yet to allow an earned run this season across 9.2 innings out of the bullpen. The righty has tossed multiple innings in four of his five appearances this season, making him an effective long-relief weapon for the Cubs. His fantasy value is capped in the role, but Thompson figures to have some occasional appeal whenever he vultures a win or scoops up a save.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Effective in relief Friday
Rotowire
Thompson tossed two scoreless innings of relief with four strikeouts in Friday's 8-3 win over the Marlins.
Thompson allowed just a lone walk over his two strong frames Friday, and he kept his season ERA at a perfect 0.00 across six innings. This level of play is of course unsustainable, though the righty could be emerging as a key multi-inning option for the Cubs. Thompson doesn't seem to be in the mix to start anytime soon, however, and his fantasy value will remain limited in a long-relief role.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Called up Friday
Rotowire
Manager Craig Counsell revealed on "The Parkins & Spiegal Show" that the Cubs had called up Thompson from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, per 670 The Score.
With Jose Cuas being sent down Thursday, the Cubs are bringing in Thompson to shore up their bullpen depth. Thompson has not allowed a run in his last three outings with Iowa, striking out six batters while allowing one hit and two walks in five innings over that span.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Continues strong spring
Rotowire
Thompson, who logged a scoreless inning of relief with two strikeouts in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Brewers, has yet to allow a run this spring.
Thompson has only tossed three innings across three Cactus League appearances, so it's a small sample size, but he's looked good so far. After making 17 starts for the Cubs in 2022, the righty worked entirely in relief last season, and he struggled with a 4.71 ERA across 28.2 innings. Now that Thompson has settled in a bit more as a reliever, he'll look for better results in 2024, though it likely will be in a lower-leverage role.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Sent back to minors
Rotowire
Thompson was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.
He's giving up his roster spot to Brad Boxberger, who is back following a long stint on the injured list. Thompson had been scored upon in each of his last three relief appearances, yielding a total of five runs over 5.1 innings.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Bright spot in big loss
Rotowire
Thompson tossed two perfect innings of relief with two strikeouts in Sunday's 16-3 loss to the Twins.
Thompson was one of seven Chicago players to take the mound Sunday, and he and Brandon Hughes, who retired a single batter, were the only ones to not get scored upon. Thompson has been good in relief this season with a 2.95 ERA across 21.1 innings. With Hayden Wesneski struggling some as the team's fifth starter, Thompson could be a candidate to start at some point after making 17 starts in 2022, though he'll stick in long relief for the time being.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Struggles in loss
Rotowire
Thompson (1-2) allowed three runs on four hits while retiring just one batter to take the loss Tuesday against the Nationals.
Starter Hayden Wesneski allowed just one run across six innings, but Thompson struggled mightily in the seventh. The righty has taken losses in each of his last two outings while allowing four earned runs and retiring only two batters. Thompson has seen his ERA climb from 1.23 to 3.52 in the process. Better days should be ahead for Chicago's long reliever, who had a 3.38 ERA in 2021 and a 3.76 mark last season.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Suffers first loss Sunday
Rotowire
Thompson (1-1) allowed a run on one hit and a walk while retiring one batter to take the loss Sunday against the Marlins.
Thompson was charged with an earned run in the eighth inning, which broke a 3-3 tie, and the Marlins hung on for the 4-3 win. Despite the hiccup, Thompson has been good so far with a 1.80 ERA and 12 strikeouts across 15 innings of relief work. He should remain a key multi-inning bullpen option for the Cubs, and if a need ever arises in the rotation, he does have starting experience at the MLB level.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Earns first win
Rotowire
Thompson (1-0) pitched a scoreless inning of relief and earned the win Monday against the Mariners. He walked two and struck out one.
Thompson battled his control a bit but was still able tot earn his first win of 2023 out of the bullpen, as Chicago squeaked out a 3-2 victory in 10 innings. The righty has been sharp, allowing just one earned run this year so far across 6.1 innings to go along with six strikeouts. Thompson made 17 starts for the Cubs in 2022, but it looks like he'll have to settle for being a relief weapon in 2023.
