DENVER – The Rockies added to their right-handed pitching versatility by claiming Keegan Thompson off waivers from Cincinnati on Wednesday.
Thompson, 30, posted a 3.64 ERA in 104 appearances (23 starts) for the Cubs from 2021-24, before being designated for assignment before last season and spending the year at Triple-A Iowa (6-2, 4.50 ERA in 33 games, including five starts). The Rockies claimed Thompson from the Reds, who signed him in November but designated him for assignment in December when they needed a Major League roster spot for newly signed outfielder JJ Bleday.
All of Thompson’s starting experience came from 2021-22. In ‘22, Thompson struck out 108 against 43 walks in 115 innings over 29 games, including 17 starts. He divided the next two seasons between the Majors and Minors. With the Cubs in ‘24, he posted a 2.67 ERA and 151 ERA+ (100 is MLB average) with 36 strikeouts against 18 walks in 30 1/3 innings.
Thompson’s history puts him in position to be a multi-use pitcher – such as pitching more than one relief inning, traditional starting or being used as an opener with a pitcher behind him handling the bulk of the game.
The Rockies’ 40-man roster now stands at 39 players.