Thompson tossed two scoreless innings in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks. He struck out two.
Thompson pitched multiple innings for the first time this spring, as the team has worked him in slowly to his new relief role. The righty made 17 starts last season, but it seems like the Cubs primarily plan on using him as a long reliever in 2023. That role is a less fantasy-friendly job, so Thompson is mostly off the radar for the moment.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Building up slowly
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The Cubs are building up Thompson slowly this spring as he adjusts to a new role as a reliever, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Thompson made his Cactus League debut Saturday and logged a scoreless inning with a strikeout. The team wanted to see how the righty responded to throwing bullpen sessions more frequently to begin spring training as they transition him into a relief role. Thompson made 17 starts and 12 relief appearances last season, recording a strong 3.76 ERA across 115 total innings. He figures to be a multi-inning bullpen option in 2023, though he's capable of making spot starts when needed.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Not seen as starter
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Thompson is viewed as a reliever and is not part of the competition for the Cubs' final rotation spot, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Kyle Hendricks' shoulder injury will open up a starting role to begin the year, but Thompson isn't a candidate to fill it. Hayden Wesneski, Javier Assad and Adrian Sampson are the frontrunners. Thompson made 17 starts and 12 relief appearances last season, finishing with a 3.76 ERA.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Suffers blown save Tuesday
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Thompson suffered a blown save after he pitched 2.2 innings, giving up two runs on one hit and two walks while striking out five in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Reds.
Thompson entered the game with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning, tasked with protecting a 1-0 lead. After the Cubs scored a run in the following half inning, the right-hander surrendered a two-run homer to Chuckie Robinson in the seventh frame, which tied the game at 2-2. The blown save was his first of the season and the runs allowed were his first given up since he returned from the 15-day injured list Sept. 21. Thompson now owns a 3.76 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 108 strikeouts over 115 innings in 29 appearances including 17 starts this year.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Earns first 2022 save
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Thompson pitched three scoreless innings of relief to earn the save Thursday against the Phillies. He allowed one hit and two walks, while striking out three.
Since returning from the injured list Sept. 21, Thompson has pitched eight scoreless innings out of the bullpen, and he earned his first save of the season Thursday by closing out a 2-0 contest. The righty made 17 starts for the Cubs this year but is finishing up the campaign in relief. Thompson figures to compete for a rotation spot again in 2023.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Comes off IL
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The Cubs reinstated Thompson (back) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Reliever Jeremiah Estrada was optioned to Triple-A Iowa to clear a spot on the 28-man active roster for Thompson, who is expected to work out of the Cubs bullpen over the final two weeks of the season after making 17 starts prior to landing on the IL on Aug. 20. With a 3.97 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 104.1 innings this season, Thompson has likely done enough to put him in good position to open the 2023 campaign as a member of the rotation.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Returning soon as reliever
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Cubs manager David Ross said Monday that Thompson (back) will be activated from the 15-day injured list within the next couple of days and will be used out of the bullpen, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Since Thompson landed on the injured list Aug. 20 with lower-back tightness and didn't start his rehab assignment until this past weekend, he didn't have enough time to get stretched back out for a traditional starter's role. He's at least healthy now and will be able to finish the season on the field, with the Cubs likely to deploy him as a multi-inning arm out of the bullpen. In his lone rehab appearance at Triple-A Iowa, Thompson struck out four while allowing an earned run on one hit and one walk over 2.1 innings.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Ready for rehab assignment
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Thompson (back) will begin a rehab assignment Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Thompson has not encountered any issues since resuming throwing in late August, and he is ready to resume pitching in games. Barring any setbacks, he should rejoin the Cubs at some point before the season comes to a close.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Bullpen on tap
Rotowire
Thompson (back) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Thompson threw a live batting practice session Tuesday, and manager David Ross hopes that the right-hander will return to game action at some point in 2022. It's possible that Thompson will throw a simulated game or embark on a rehab assignment shortly after Friday's throwing session.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Faces hitters
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Thompson (back) completed a live batting practice session Tuesday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.
Following the throwing session, Cubs manager David Ross reiterated that he wants to see the 27-year-old right-hander back on the mound this season, even though Thompson's 104.1 innings in 2022 have nearly doubled up his total from 2021. With that in mind, the Cubs are likely to keep a six-man rotation intact whenever Thompson and Justin Steele (back) are cleared to return from the 15-day injured list, and it's possible that both pitchers could have a turn or two skipped over the final month of the season. Before Thompson is activated, however, he'll likely first have to throw a simulated game or make a minor-league rehab start, which could happen as soon as this weekend.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Should face hitters next week
Rotowire
Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said Tuesday that Thompson (back) will throw a live batting practice session in the next 7-to-10 days, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
On Tuesday, Thompson tossed his second bullpen session since being placed on the 15-day injured list Aug. 20 with lower-back tightness, but the Cubs don't seem motivated to accelerate his throwing program. He'll likely throw off a mound at least once or twice more before advancing to facing hitters, which seemingly takes a return from the IL in the minimum amount of time off the table. Hottovy noted that the Cubs haven't decided on what Thompson's role will look like once he returns from the IL, but the right-hander will stay on a starter's routine for the time being.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Tossing bullpen Saturday
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Thompson (back) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Thompson has been on the injured list for a week due to lower-back tightness, and it's encouraging that he's already been cleared for mound work. The team will likely see how he feels after Saturday's throwing session prior to determining the next steps in his recovery process, but it's possible that he rejoins the Cubs following a relatively minimal IL stint.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Early exit against Brewers
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Thompson didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 8-7 win over the Brewers, coughing up five runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- and three walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out three.
The right-hander is fading fast after putting up good results in the rotation earlier this summer. Thompson has failed to complete five innings in four of his last six starts, posting a rough 6.59 ERA, 1.72 WHIP and 17:12 K:BB through 27.1 innings over that stretch, and his 2.6 HR/9 is a big reason why his numbers are regressing rapidly.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Struggles in short start
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Thompson allowed four runs on two hits across 1.2 innings and did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Reds. He walked three and struck out two.
Thompson labored in the outing, as he needed 70 pitches to retire just five batters. That was enough for manager David Ross, saddling the righty with his second-shortest start this season. Thompson's shortest appearance came on June 12, when he allowed five runs while retiring just two batters against the Yankees. He's still been pretty good overall with a 3.67 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 100.2 innings, to go along with a 9-5 record. Thompson will look for a smoother outing in his next scheduled start Friday against the Brewers.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Sharp effort for ninth win
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Thompson (9-5) allowed one run on five hits across six innings to earn the win Monday against the Nationals. He had no walks and struck out three.
Thompson allowed a solo home run to Luke Voit in the sixth inning but was otherwise spotless. It was a nice rebound after the righty allowed five runs on 10 hits across 4.2 innings in his last start. Thompson has had some ups and down lately, though he's been mostly good this season with a 3.36 ERA and the nine wins. After making just six starts last year, the 27-year-old is now up to 15 starts this season, and he's likely secured a spot in the team's 2023 rotation. Thompson is penciled in to start again Sunday against the Reds.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Hit hard in loss
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Thompson (8-5) allowed five runs on 10 hits across 4.2 innings to take the loss Tuesday against the Cardinals. He walked two and struck out one.
Thompson allowed home runs to Dylan Carlson and Paul Goldschmidt, and was just generally ineffective on the road against St. Louis. The righty has now alternated good and bad starts his last four times out, though he's been mostly solid for the bulk of the year, as evidenced by his 3.48 ERA across 93 innings. He'll look to get back on track in his next scheduled outing Sunday against the Marlins.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Sharp in eighth win
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Thompson (8-4) picked up the win in Tuesday's 4-2 victory over the Pirates, allowing two unearned runs on four hits over seven innings. He struck out seven without walking a batter.
The right-hander was cruising toward a potential shutout until an error by Nico Hoerner extended the seventh inning and set the stage for a two-run blast by Oneil Cruz. Thompson exited after 97 pitches (69 strikes) and had to settle for his first win, and first quality start, since June 22. On the season, the 27-year-old sports a 3.16 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 82:29 K:BB through 88.1 innings.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Takes fourth loss Thursday
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Thompson (7-4) allowed five runs on eight hits across 4.1 innings to take the loss Thursday against the Mets. He walked four and struck out one.
Thompson struggled with his control, as he walked a season high four batters and also hit a batter. The eight hits didn't help his cause either, and the end result was his fourth loss of the year. Despite the rough outing, Thompson still has a strong 3.43 ERA and 1.25 WHIP, and with the Cubs dealing with a handful of injuries in the rotation, the righty should stick as a starter coming out of the All-Star break.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Steady in no-decision
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Thompson allowed an unearned run on two hits, one walk and a hit batter with eight strikeouts in 5.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Friday.
Thompson kept a tough opponent in check until the sixth inning, when a Seiya Suzuki error allowed the Dodgers to get on the board. All things considered, this was a good outing for Thompson since he lasted only four innings in his previous start. The 27-year-old right-hander has maintained a 3.16 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 74:25 K:BB across 77 innings in 19 appearances (11 starts) this year. He's limited opponents to two or fewer runs in four of his last five outings, a run of success he'll look to keep going in a projected home start versus the Orioles next week.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Lasts four innings in no-decision
Rotowire
Thompson registered a no-decision during Sunday's 4-2 loss to Boston, allowing two runs on seven hits and three walks with three strikeouts in four innings.
Thompson held Boston scoreless through three innings despite five baserunners with the help of two double plays but allowed five more hitters to reach base in the fourth, resulting in two runs. The 27-year-old lasted fewer than five innings for the third time in six starts, and Thompson's ERA has spiked from 1.99 to 3.41 during the rough stretch. He's in for a tough test with a start against the Dodgers scheduled for next weekend.
