Sean

Thompson

He struck out seven. Thompson, a 23-year-old left-hander, is 6-9 with a 3.46 ERA, 133 H and 125/40 K/BB in 143 IP for Mobile. The Padres might have some need of him as an emergency starter next month.

Thompson was claimed off waivers from the Padres on July 4. The Royals are hoping to keep him in the organization, but they figured he was the most expendable player on the 40-man roster.

He’s going on waivers for the third time this year to make room for Ian Stewart on Colorado’s 40-man roster. The Rockies would prefer to keep him after claiming him from the Royals last month, but they judged him their most expendable player.

Thompson, 24, was 4-7 with a 3.57 ERA, 84 H and 59/41 K/BB in 88 1/3 IP for Double-A San Antonio. He was never viewed as having a lot of upside, and the Padres obviously didn’t think he was going to make it as a fifth starter.

As little advanced pitching as the Royals have in the high minors, this looks like a pretty good move. Thompson, 24, was 4-7 with a 3.57 ERA, 84 H and 59/41 K/BB in 88 1/3 IP for Double-A San Antonio. He has little upside, but he could give the Royals innings if needed.

This keeps Thompson on a 40-man roster, but Thompson would have been better off if he remained with the Padres, who had him originally, or the Royals, who claimed him earlier this month then tried to slip him through waivers. Thompson doesn’t get an excessive number of grounders and his best pitch is a curve, which typically doesn’t work as well in Colorado. He’ll be optioned to Double- or Triple-A for now. He’s a long shot to succeed with the Rockies.

Thompson was claimed off waivers from the Royals last July, only to get dropped from the 40-man roster three weeks later. He was in camp this spring as a non-roster player.

“He still wanted to pitch, but we decided to err on the side of caution right now,” Bochy said. “We decided to scratch him instead of letting him pitch through it.” Thompson could pitch in a ‘B’ game on Saturday.

Thompson is behind at least Mike Thompson and Tim Stauffer in line for an opportunity to join San Diego’s rotation. All three figure to start the year at Portland.