5/1/21

CINCINNATI – The Chicago Cubs today optioned left-handed pitcher Kyle Ryan to Triple-A Iowa and recalled right-handed pitcher Keegan Thompson from the South Bend Alternate Site.

Thompson is available for today’s 3:10 p.m. CT game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.

Thompson, 26, will make his major league debut with his first appearance after spending the first month of the season at the South Bend Alternate Training Site. The righthander went 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA (5 ER/5.0 IP) with one walk and five strikeouts in four games (one start) in Cactus League play this year. Thompson spent the entire 2020 season at the club’s South Bend Alternate Site.

An original third round draft pick of the Cubs in 2017 out of Auburn University, Thompson is 10-10 with a 3.46 ERA (61 ER/158.2 IP) with 151 strikeouts in 35 career games (29 starts) in the minor leagues. Thompson was twice named Carolina League Pitcher of the Week in 2019, for the weeks of May 21-27 (0 R/6.0 IP) and June 11-17 (0 R/7.0 IP).

Ryan, 29, has appeared in two games across two stints for Chicago this season. The lefthander has not allowed a run in 2.2 innings pitched, along with three hits, a walk, and two strikeouts.

COURTESY CHICAGO CUBS & MLBpressbox.com