The Chicago Cubs have designated right-handed pitcher Keegan Thompson for assignment. This transaction opened a spot on the roster for top prospect Matt Shaw, who got the starting nod at the hot corner during their regular season opener. If the 30-year-old is not claimed on waivers, he will open the season at the Triple-A level. Last summer, Thompson logged 30 1/3 innings in the major leagues and posted a 2.67 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP. He tallied 36 strikeouts but held a high 14.2 percent walk rate. During the 2023 campaign, Thompson posted a high 4.71 ERA with a 1.36 WHIP across 28 2/3 innings of work. Through 74 1/3 career innings at Triple-A, the former third-round selection has held a 4.48 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP. Thompson could return to the majors later in the season if the Cubs need additional depth in their bullpen.
Keegan Thompson Will Not Travel With Club For Tokyo Series
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Keegan Thompson will not be among the 31 players included in the team's travel roster for the Tokyo Series coming up in Japan. The righty had allowed three earned runs in only four-and-two-thirds innings pitched so far this spring, with all three runs coming via solo home runs. Unfortunately for Thompson, this likely means the Cubs will DFA the former third-round draft pick before Opening Day. Whether he's with the Cubs or another team in 2025, he pitched fairly well between the minors and majors last season, recording a 2.67 ERA, 1.22 ERA, and a 10.68 K/9 over 30 1/3 innings pitched with the Cubs. His problem over the years has been command, with a 14.2 percent walk rate resulting in a 14.2 percent K-BB%, which would look very good if he could get closer to the 8.2 percent league average walk rate. Regardless, until we see him in the majors again and pitching meaningful innings, the 29-year-old will be off the fantasy radar.
According to Maddie Lee of the Sun Times, right-hander Keegan Thompson and the Chicago Cubs have agreed on a contract to avoid salary arbitration. Thompson battled injuries in 2024 but flashed solid potential when he was on the major-league mound. Across 30 1/3 innings on the Northside, the right-hander posted a strong 2.67 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP with two saves. Thompson generated an excellent 28.3% strikeout rate but struggled with control as he held a rough 14.2% walk rate. With Triple-A Iowa, Thompson posted a 2.96 ERA and a 0.91 ERA in 27 1/3 innings of work. Fantasy managers should monitor Thompson's development during spring training, as he could eventually become a candidate to operate as a high-leverage option given the upside he has flashed at times.
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Keegan Thompson (ribs) logged an 'up-down' bullpen session on Saturday, July 20 in Arizona. Thompson was placed on the injured list with a rib fracture on June 28. This is a great sign for the 29-year-old as he has already begun his throwing program. Prior to the injury, the former third-round pick posted a 3.50 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and a 10:26 BB:K ratio across 18 innings. While he still remains without a timetable, it seems plausible that he could return to the big leagues sometime in August. Thompson will likely be used in a bulk relief role and could earn high-leverage opportunities down the stretch as he has shown high-upside strikeout potential.
Chicago Cubs pitcher Keegan Thompson will open the season in a multi-inning relief role, according to manager David Ross. The right-hander was excellent in a versatile swingman-type role last season. He finished the season with a 3.76 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 108/43 K/BB ratio across 115 innings (29 appearances, 17 starts). The fact he's going to be used in this role instead of a full-time starter is going to limit his fantasy value. This decision means Hayden Wesneski, Javier Assad and Adrian Sampson should all be in the mix for the vacant rotation spot.
The Chicago Cubs placed right-hander Keegan Thompson (back) on the 15-day injured list with lower back tightness on Saturday and recalled Anderson Espinoza from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move. Thompson's last two outings haven't gone well, and perhaps his back injury is mostly to blame. He lasted only 3 2/3 innings against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night and allowed five earned runs to raise his season ERA to 3.97 (4.57 FIP) in 25 appearances (17 starts). The 27-year-old also has a 1.31 WHIP, 91 strikeouts and 37 walks in 104 1/3 innings pitched. It remains to be seen if Thompson will be able to return when he's eligible on Sept. 6, but fantasy managers in deeper leagues should try to keep him stashed.
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Keegan Thompson had a rough start against the Brewers on Friday, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three over three and two-thirds innings. Although Thompson has been useful this season, he has really struggled recently, pitching to an 8.44 ERA in four August starts. This coincides with his velocity being down over this time period, which was especially notable today as most of his pitchers were two miles per hour slower than his yearly average, including his four-seamer. Thompson was already getting by on what seemed to be smoke-and-mirrors, and if he's losing velocity on top of that it's hard to see him being useful. He shouldn't be started next week, as he faces a solid Cardinals lineup.
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Keegan Thompson improved his record to a sparkling 6-0 on Thursday as his club defeated the Cardinals 7-5. He allowed three runs on five hits and three walks across 5 1/3 IP, striking out a trio in the 89-pitch performance. The Cardinals got to the right-hander with a pair of runs on a rally in the third, and then chased him from the game in the sixth before the bullpen allowed one of his runners to come around to score on a force out. Thompson has surprised many this season with a 1.99 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 38 K through 45 1/3 IP as he'll match up with the Orioles in a favorable road start next week.
Chicago Cubs right-handed pitcher Keegan Thompson has been suspended three games for intentionally throwing at Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Andrew McCutchen in this past Saturday's game. Thompson threw three straight pitches inside, with the last pitch hitting McCutchen in the hip. Both teams' benches cleared after the incident. Prior to McCutchen being hit by Thompson's pitch, multiple Cubs hitters were hit by pitches from Brewers pitchers, so Thompson's beaming of Cutch was easily classified as retaliation.
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Keegan Thompson struggled in Thursday's start versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. Thompson was only able to make it through 1 2/3 innings and allowed four hits, three runs, two walks and struck out three on the evening. The young pitching prospect was great out of the bullpen for the Cubs in the first half, but has struggled since entering the rotation in the second half of the season. He is 3-3 on the year with a 3.54 ERA in 30 games (four starts). Next up for Thompson will be a date with the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday. He can remain on the waiver wire moving forward.
