Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Returns from injured list
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The Diamondbacks activated Thompson (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Monday.
Thompson has been shelved since early July with a right scapular strain but is ready to go after making a pair of scoreless rehab appearances with Triple-A Reno. The 33-year-old could be in the mix for saves as part of an unsettled Diamondbacks bullpen.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Makes second rehab appearance
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Thompson (shoulder) struck out a batter over a perfect inning during his rehab appearance for Triple-A Reno on Friday.
Friday's rehab outing was Thompson's second of the week, and Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo indicated Saturday that the reliever is likely to be activated when rosters expand Monday, per MLB.com. The right-hander has been on the 15-day injured list since July 6 due to a left trapezius strain.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Next step TBD
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Thompson (shoulder) is scheduled to throw Friday after pitching a scoreless inning for Triple-A Reno on Tuesday, MLB.com reports.
The outing Tuesday was the first game appearance of a rehab assignment for Thompson. Following a live batting practice and a sim game, Tuesday's appearance was expected to be his final step before activation; however, the report indicates Friday's throwing session is the only confirmed next step in the process. The Diamondbacks may be waiting for September when rosters can be expanded be to 28 players (14 pitchers).
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Scheduled for rehab game
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Thompson (shoulder) is scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Reno on Tuesday, MLB.com reports.
This is expected to be Thompson's final step before activation. The right-hander could immediately be added to Arizona's unsettled closer mix once he rejoins the roster.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Throws sim game
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Thompson (shoulder) threw a simulated game Friday, MLB.com reports.
Thompson has been throwing regularly the last two weeks and has graduated to sessions that mimic a game environment, meaning he's getting up and down multiple times. The next step is expected to be a minor-league or a camp game before the right-hander is activated.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Throws bullpen session
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Thompson (shoulder) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Thursday, MLB.com reports.
Thompson, who is dealing with a strain of his lower right trapezius muscle, threw his second bullpen in three days. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo noted the right-hander has responded well to the work, but his return date remains uncertain. Thompson last pitched for the Diamondbacks on July 4.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Begins throwing program
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Thompson (shoulder) has begun a throwing program, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.
Thompson landed on the 15-day injured list with a scapular strain earlier this month. No timeline has been established for the return of the side-arming righty, who is needed in an Arizona bullpen that's been hammered by injuries.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Earns hold in win
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Thompson allowed one hit and struck out two over a scoreless seventh inning in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Mets.
Thompson picked up his fourth hold, serving as the first of three relievers to preserve the lead after starter Zac Gallen went six strong innings. In the wake of injuries to Arizona's co-closers A.J. Puk (elbow) and Justin Martinez (shoulder), Thompson will be part of the setup crew and could possibly get save chances. On Thursday, Thompson was followed by Kevin Ginkel in the eighth and Shelby Miller for the save in the ninth.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Needs help in ninth inning
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Thompson allowed two runs on two hits while striking out one over a third of an inning in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Yankees.
Thompson entered to start the ninth inning and close out a 4-0 lead, but he ran into early trouble and was removed after giving up a couple of singles. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo brought in one of his closers, the left-handed A.J. Puk, to face the mostly left-handed batters due up. The one righty in that string of batters, Anthony Volpe, took Puk deep for a three-run home run. Thompson was a reliable arm in a setup role for the Diamondbacks in 2024, primarily serving as a seventh- and eighth-inning bridge.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Notches first save
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Thompson earned a save against Washington on Wednesday, issuing a walk and striking out a batter over a scoreless two-thirds of an inning.
Paul Sewald got a chance at a save with Arizona up three runs entering the ninth frame, but he retired only one batter while walking three and allowing a double. Thompson then came in to put out the fire and did so successfully despite allowing an inherited runner to score on a passed ball and issuing an intentional walk. After the game, Arizona manager Torey Lovullo was non-committal about Sewald remaining the team's closer, but that doesn't necessarily mean that Thompson would get the next crack at the role if a change is made. The right-hander has been very successful in a setup role this season with a 1.81 ERA, 19 holds and 32:5 K:BB, yet Kevin Ginkel and A.J. Puk -- both of whom pitched before the ninth frame Wednesday -- have more closing experience and would be more likely candidates to step in as closer, temporarily or otherwise, if Sewald is moved out of the role.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Gets four outs, hold
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Thompson allowed two hits and struck out one over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn a hold in Saturday's 3-2 win over Miami.
Thompson earned his seventh hold of the season, retiring four batters before letting Joe Mantiply shepherd the one-run lead to closer Paul Sewald. This was fourth time in the last six outings that Thompson worked more than one frame, and the right-hander hasn't allowed an earned run over the last 13 innings.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Makes fifth scoreless appearance
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Thompson allowed a hit and struck out one over 1.1 scoreless innings in Friday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to Atlanta.
Thompson made his fifth appearance and has yet to give up a run or walk. On a night when the bullpen blew a three-run lead -- including a blown save by fill-in closer Kevin Ginkel -- Thompson's performance stood out. Thompson worked the eighth and ninth innings in his previous appearances this season before entering Friday's game in the sixth.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Could get save chances
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Thompson moves up a spot in the bullpen following the news that closer Paul Sewald (oblique) will open the season on the injured list.
Arizona manager Torey Lovullo didn't immediately name any one reliever as a replacement closer, although he did tell Steve Gilbert of MLB.com that there is "a very logical choice." By that, Lovullo was referring to Kevin Ginkel, who is expected to serve as the primary closer while Sewald heals. Lovullo also said he is not going to "anoint anybody to close right now," leaving the door open for others, like Thompson. He was an important late-inning, setup reliever after being traded to the Diamondbacks during the stretch drive in 2023. Thompson recorded a 0.69 ERA over 13 innings in the regular season and was a featured high-leverage option during the postseason. The right-hander continued his fine work this spring, allowing one unearned run over seven innings.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Sets up save
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Thompson allowed one hit while striking out two over a scoreless inning in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the White Sox.
Thompson pitched the eighth inning, preserving the lead for Paul Sewald who converted the save. Kevin Ginkel is normally the choice to pitch the eighth inning of close games, but manager Torey Lovullo went another way after Ginkel's most recent outing Monday when he was tagged with the loss. The manager rewarded Thompson, who has been effective since being added to the Diamondbacks' bullpen in late August. The reliever has a 0.75 ERA and 0.50 WHIP over 12 innings.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Notches save in team debut
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Thompson struck out one batter in a perfect inning and earned a save against the Reds on Sunday.
Thompson was promoted from Triple-A Reno on Sunday and was thrown right into a save situation. He posted a 6.11 ERA in 17.2 innings with the Rays this season before being designated for assignment. Scott McGough threw 1.2 innings while Paul Sewald did not appear in Sunday's game.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Moves up to Arizona
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The Diamondbacks selected Thompson's contract from Triple-A Reno on Sunday.
Arizona designated right-hander Nabil Crismatt for assignment to clear room in the bullpen for Thompson, who could make his Diamondbacks debut in Sunday's series finale with the Reds. Before inking a minor-league deal with Arizona earlier this month following his release from Tampa Bay, Thompson had produced a 6.11 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 12:7 K:BB in 17.2 innings at the big-league level with the Rays this season.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Inks minor-league deal
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Thompson (undisclosed) signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Sunday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Thompson saw some high-leverage work with the Rays between 2021 and 2022 but struggled earlier this year, posting a 6.11 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 17.2 innings over 18 relief appearances. He was on the injured list with an undisclosed issue before being released by Tampa Bay, and it's not yet clear whether he's back to full health.
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Rays' Ryan Thompson: Bumped off 40-man roster
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The Rays designated Thompson (undisclosed) for assignment Wednesday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
Before he was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Aug. 2, Thompson had accrued a 6.11 ERA while striking out 12 batters over 17.2 innings in the big leagues this season. His results at Durham (3.26 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 24 strikeouts in 19.1 innings) have been better, but he hasn't pitched for the affiliate since his demotion after being placed on the 7-day injured list Aug. 6. He'll likely stick around at Durham if he goes unclaimed upon being exposed to waivers.
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Rays' Ryan Thompson: Returns to majors
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Thompson was recalled from Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The Rays needed six pitchers to get through Wednesday's loss to the Phillies, so they're bringing in Thompson as a fresh bullpen arm. He's posted a 5.94 ERA in 17 appearances with Tampa Bay in 2023.
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Rays' Ryan Thompson: Optioned to Triple-A
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Thompson was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Sunday, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.
Thompson will head to Durham after he's surrendered at least one run in four out of his last five appearances. Over that stretch, the right-hander has given up nine runs over five frames, raising his season-long ERA from 1.80 to 6.60. He'll look to recenter himself with Triple-A before being returned to the major-league roster later this season. In a corresponding move, right-hander Cooper Criswell will join the Rays in Tampa Bay.
