Zach

Thompson

The 31-year-old hurler elected free agency on Wednesday after he had been sent outright to Triple-A Gwinnett. After exploring the open market though, he decided that the Braves were still the best fit for him. He’ll report back to Triple-A Gwinnett.

Thompson went unclaimed on waivers after being designated for assignment earlier this week. The 31-year-old righty has spent the entire season back at Triple-A Gwinnett. He’ll presumably search for a new opportunity on the open market or wind up back with the Braves on a new minor league deal.

Thompson, a member of Triple-A Gwinnett’s roster, pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings in two appearances for the Braves earlier this month. He’s getting taken off the 40-man to make room for Eddie Rosario.

The team needed to make room for Spencer Strider, so Thompson was sent back to Triple-A. The 31-year-old has thrown 3 3/2 shutout innings in the Braves’ bullpen without allowing a hit and while striking out three batters. He’ll get another shot in the coming weeks.

This move was long-awaited and is now official. Strider has dominated in his three rehab starts, allowing two runs on five hits in 13 2/3 innings with 27 strikeouts and just five walks. Obviously, Strider should do that to minor league hitters, and he hasn’t had to worry about being precise with the command of his pitches, just throwing them over the plate and dominating minor league hitters. We have to see how he looks against MLB bats, but Strider remains an elite talent and should be started against the Blue Jays in most fantasy leagues today. Zach Thompson was optioned to Triple-A to make room on the active roster.

Thompson was up for eight days earlier this month but never did get into a game. He’s still looking to make his first major league appearance since 2022.

Thompson will head back to Triple-A after Atlanta acquired Rafael Montero from the Astros. Thompson will likely be back at some point over the spring/summer in a low-leverage role.

Thompson is back in the majors for the first time since 2022, when he went 3-10 with a 5.18 ERA in 121 2/3 innings for the Pirates. The Braves will have him available in middle relief on Tuesday.

Thompson provides Atlanta with some additional relief depth heading into next season after not pitching in affiliated ball this past season. The 31-year-old righty made 55 appearances (36 starts) between the Marlins and Pirates from 2021 to 2022 and hasn’t appeared in the big leagues ever since. He’s merely extra organizational relief depth for the Braves.

Thompson passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment earlier this week and will presumably remain with the Blue Jays as extra organizational pitching depth. The 29-year-old righty has yet to appear in the majors this season after being acquired from the Pirates back in January.