Derek

Thompson

Thompson is out for the season after undergoing elbow surgery.

Thompson was already a longshot to make the Dodgers as a left-handed reliever. This injury could completely ruin his chances.

Thompson underwent a second Tommy John surgery in July and will miss the start of next season. He could help out as a reliever if he comes back strong, but the injury figures to allow him to clear waivers.

Thompson is a Rule 5 pick, so the Dodgers have a decision to make on his status. If they want, they could keep him on their 60-day DL all season. If not, they’ll have to offer him back to the Indians, who could opt not to pay the $25,000 it would cost to reclaim him.

He left with a two-run lead, but for some reason, Scott Erickson was chosen as his replacement. Of course, the lead was quickly coughed up and the Dodgers lost 8-4. Thompson should get another start this weekend. If his teammates were playing better, maybe he’d be worth adding in NL-only leagues.

Unfortunately, the Dodgers didn’t go ahead until the bottom of the sixth, so Thompson was denied his first win despite outpitching the opposition for a second straight start. He’ll have to stay in the rotation for at least one or two more turns, but he shouldn’t be picked up in NL-only leagues just yet.

Thompson is easy to overlook in such a deep Dodger farm system, but he has a chance to be a pretty good multi-inning reliever, perhaps as soon as this year. The Dodgers should give him a look if Wilson Alvarez goes down.

It’s not performance related, as Thompson had a 3.50 ERA in three starts and one relief appearance for the Dodgers. He should return next month.

It’s just supposed to be one spot start, but if he pitches well against the Diamondbacks, perhaps the Dodgers could keep him in the majors, at least until Odalis Perez returns. It’s more likely that they’ll just replace him with a reliever prior to Sunday’s game.

Thompson walked four and struck out four. The Dodgers had a 4-2 lead when he was pulled, but Duaner Sanchez gave it back. Thompson might be sent right back to Double-A Jacksonville on Sunday.