Keegan

Thompson

The Reds signed Thompson to a one-year, $1.5 million deal on November 4th and then designated him for assignment just two months later without ever throwing a pitch for them. The 30-year-old spent all of 2025 in Triple-A for the Cubs, but he had posted a 3.64 ERA in 227 1/3 innings for the Cubs from 2021-24. This is a nice gamble for the Rockies.

Thompson signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract with Cincinnati last month. The 30-year-old righty didn’t appear in the big leagues this past season after making 104 appearances for the Cubs since the start of 2021. The Reds are presumably hoping he’ll pass through waivers unclaimed and remain with the organization heading into spring training.

The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Gordon Wittenmyer reports that it’s a split contract that will pay $1.3 million while Thompson is in the majors. The 30-year-old Thompson had a 3.64 ERA in 227 1/3 innings for the Cubs from 2021-24 before failing to make the team last spring and spending the entire season at Triple-A Iowa, where he had a 4.50 ERA and an 83/25 K/BB in 64 innings. If he proves successful out of the pen, the Reds will retain his arbitration rights through 2028.

Thompson didn’t end up pitching in the majors this past season after making 104 appearances (23 starts) for the Cubs from 2021-2024. The 30-year-old reliever posted a respectable 4.50 ERA across 64 innings in 33 appearances last year for Triple-A Iowa in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.

Thompson figures to elect free agency in search of a new opportunity after passing through waivers unclaimed. The 30-year-old righty was designated for assignment last week to free up a spot on Chicago’s 40-man roster for top prospect Matt Shaw. He’ll be the answer to a trivia question someday in the Windy City if Shaw goes on to become a franchise cornerstone.

Thompson has been jettisoned from Chicago’s 40-man roster ahead of the club’s season-opening Tokyo Series against the Dodgers to make room for top prospect Matt Shaw. The 30-year-old righty will open the year back at Triple-A Iowa, if he clears waivers.

All three players might have been non-tendered if they hadn’t agreed to terms today. ESPN’s Jesse Rogers said Merryweather will make $1.225 million next season. Thompson and Thaiss were both due something similar.

Thompson hurt his push off leg while making a pitch, and though it seemed innocent enough at first, he had quite a bit of trouble making his way off the field and through the dugout. Thompson walked the only batter he faced before departing.

To get a sense of the calamity that is the Cubs current bullpen, Thompson entered this game for Drew Smyly, who was put on waivers earlier this week, who relieved Tyson Miller after allowing three runs and turning this into a save situation. Back from injury and the most effective option, there’s a good chance Thompson is called upon for the Cubs’ next save opportunity.

No one in the history of civilization has made the trip from Iowa to Chicago more often than Thompson. He’ll be back with the Cubs to provide some bullpen help with Julian Merryweather on the shelf with knee tendinitis.