Key Reliever's Return Adds Depth to Diamondbacks' Bullpen

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Ryan Thompson (81) pitches against the Miami Marlins at Chase Field in Phoenix, on June 28, 2025. Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Key Reliever's Return Adds Depth to Diamondbacks' Bullpen

Originally posted on Arizona Diamondbacks on SI
By Alex D'Agostino | Last updated Sep 1, 2025 4:15 PM ET

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Rosters have officially expanded across major league baseball, as they always do to begin the final month of the regular season, and the Arizona Diamondbacks are adding two players to the active roster.

Right-handed sidewinding reliever Ryan Thompson is expected been activated from the 15-day Injured List. In addition, Jorge Barrosa is expected to be called up from Triple-A Reno.

As of this writing, neither move has been made official, but both are expected.

Arizona Diamondbacks Activate Ryan Thompson

Thompson went down with a scapular (shoulder/back) strain back on July 6. It's been a somewhat lengthy recovery process for the veteran, but after two successful rehab appearances with the Reno Aces, he'll head back to the majors for the waning weeks of the season.

After a rough start to 2025, Thompson had settled in to an excellent stretch. He had allowed only one earned run in his last 17 appearances, including seven straight scoreless outings.

While his season ERA is 4.45 after a brutal month of May, Thompson has been quite effective since, and will bring a veteran presence back to a bullpen that has gotten significantly younger throughout the course of the year.

The D-backs' relievers have been finding some success despite their overall poor numbers. They allowed six earned runs over 17.2 innings against Milwaukee (3.05 ERA) and only two earned runs over 9.2 innings against the Dodgers (1.95 ERA).

But a team can always use more relievers, especially ones with experience and a track record of success.

Arizona Diamondbacks Call Jorge Barrosa

Barrosa has been called up multiple times over the two years, but has received sparing playing time. Between 2024-25 he has played in 23 games and came to the plate 56 times. He's hit just 7-for-53 (.132) in MLB over these two seasons.

In 93 games for Triple-A Reno the 24-year-old switch hitter is batting .294/.378/.431 with an .810 OPS. He is a strong defensive outfielder with a cannon for an arm, and runs very well. At the very least he will provide additional coverage defensively and as a pinch-runner.