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Cubs Pitcher Stays With Organization After Assignment

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sam Bernardi | Last updated Mar 28, 2025 12:30 PM ET

Chicago Cubs pitcher Keegan Thompson, who was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, has cleared waivers and will stay with the organization.

The report comes from the MLB.com transaction log.

Thompson, a third-round pick by the Cubs in the 2017 draft, has been a useful arm out of the bullpen in recent years.

Since breaking through in the Majors in 2021, he has accumulated a 3.64 ERA, 1.324 WHIP, and 8.9 strikeouts per nine over 227 and 1/3 innings. In 2022, Thompson started 17 games and went 10-5, but was later converted to a reliever.

However, the 30-year-old was roughed up in spring training to the tune of a 5.79 ERA and three home runs over four and 2/3 innings.

It’s a little surprising that he did not earn a role as a middle reliever for Chicago. Still, it feels better off with guys like Nate Pearson, Caleb Thielbar, Julian Merryweather, and Eli Morgan.

Thompson was also unlikely to receive long relief outings, with Colin Rea bumping out of the starting rotation and other prospects such as Jordan Wicks and Caleb Kilian in the running for an MLB role sometime this summer.

No other franchises were willing to take a flyer on Thompson, which may reveal league-wide feelings toward him. His metrics, while underwhelming, have taken a back seat to quality production for the better part of four years.

Should the Cubs sustain injuries or poor performances, Thompson could be in line for a call-up. Until then, it is unclear if he will pitch for Chicago again in 2025.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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