The Chicago Cubs have activated one of the franchise’s most talented relievers from the paternity list.
Keegan Thompson will be available for Craig Counsell’s bullpen during Chicago’s home matchup versus the New York Mets on Saturday afternoon.
Thompson, 29, impressed in his most recent appearance for the Cubs. He struck out the side in a save against the San Francisco Giants on June 18.
Four hours after closing the door on the Giants, Thompson received a call that his child was about to be born.
Thompson’s return to the bullpen is a welcome sight for Chicago, especially after the Cubs received an 11-1 bludgeoning from the Mets’ bats on Friday afternoon.
Pitching for a team with a myriad of roster questions, Thompson has a chance to step into the role of Cubs’ closer if he continues to deliver performances like his last outing.
Thompson began the year optioned to Triple-A Iowa Cubs after a 2023 campaign in the big leagues during which he accrued a 4.71 ERA and 26 strikeouts across 28 2/3 innings pitched.
Originally drafted by Chicago in the third round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft, Thompson has tallied 23 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings pitched this season.
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