Right-handed reliever Keegan Thompson was designated for assignment when the Cubs opened up their 2025 season in Japan and fans assumed the beloved pitcher was destined to land somewhere else. Thompson could have been traded, but he wasn’t and surprisingly none of the other 29 MLB teams placed a waiver claim to get him either.

According to the Cubs’ official transactions page Thompson cleared waivers and has been outrighted to the Iowa Cubs.

Looks like Keegan Thompson is sticking around in the Cubs organization after he was DFA’d. pic.twitter.com/NJwuWSfeBA

— Aldo Soto (@AldoSoto21) March 26, 2025

The Cubs brought back Thompson in the offseason, avoiding arbitration and agreeing to an $850k salary for the 2025 season. He had an up and down 2024 season with the Cubs, starting off with success in April, before and illness shut him down later in the year and then another injury surfaced that further set him back.

Still, Thompson was able to put together a strong year, posting a 2.67 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 30.1 innings. He had a 28.3 K%, which set a new career-best for the now 30-year-old pitcher.

For his career, Thompson has worked as a starter and reliever, although the Cubs primarily have used him out of the bullpen. The righty made 23 starts between 2021-22. In 227.1 innings in the majors, Thompson has a 3.64 ERA.

As for now, Thompson will begin the 2025 season in the minor leagues at Triple-A with the Iowa Cubs. There is a chance that Thompson chooses to refuse the assignment and elect free agency instead. You can read more details here.

(Previous Update)

The Chicago Cubs have to make at least one move to their 40-man roster ahead of Tuesday’s regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Top prospect Matt Shaw is projected to start at third base, but before he’s officially added to the active roster the Cubs have to make room on the 40-man. That means someone is getting squeezed out and there’s a chance the team cuts an additional player as well.

So, we know Shaw has to be added onto the 40-man roster by Tuesday and that could also be the case for right-handed pitcher Brad Keller. The Cubs signed Keller to a minor league deal late in the offseason and the righty has certainly turned heads in spring training. The 29-year-old has lit up the radar gun, throwing in the high 90s during Cactus League play, which earned Keller a trip to Japan as part of Chicago’s 31-man traveling roster.

Like Shaw, Keller is not currently on the 40-man roster, which means if the Cubs want to keep him around they’d have to add him and kick someone else out. There’s one specific pitcher beloved by fans who may be in danger of getting cut.

Right-handed pitcher Keegan Thompson did not make the flight to Japan with the Cubs and seeing as though the 30-year-old is out of minor league options his days with the team that drafted him are most likely coming to an end.

Jed Hoyer acknowledged the fact that Thompson was pretty much pushed down on the depth this spring training and with Brad Keller rising in camp Thompson appears to be the odd-man out in the bullpen.

Via the Chicago Sun-Times.

The Cubs telegraphed one expected 40-man-roster move when they announced right-hander Keegan Thompson didn’t make the travel roster. Thompson is out of minor-league options.

“It is hard to evaluate spring training, but that was how we ultimately made the decision,” Hoyer said. “I thought Keegan threw well here, but ultimately we felt like some guys were better.”

The Cubs avoided arbitration with Thompson back in November, agreeing to an $850k salary for the 2025 season. The righty had good numbers last year, posting a 2.67 ERA in 30.1 innings. Thompson was set to become a weapon in the Cubs’ bullpen following his breakout 2022 season as a multi-inning reliever. However, struggles in 2023, led to Thompson being in Triple-A to start the 2024 season before he was ultimately called up.

Thompson landed on the injured list a few times throughout 2024, first because of a viral illness and then a rib fracture.

It’s unfortunate for Thompson that his time is up on the Cubs, but it does speak to the quality depth the front office has added to the bullpen in the offseason. The team traded for Eli Morgan, Ryan Brasier and Ryan Pressly in addition to the free agent acquisitions of Caleb Thielbar and Colin Rea, who may start the year as swingman in the bullpen.

Plus, there’s been the surprising spring from Keller, who may ultimately be the reason Thompson’s career with the Cubs is winding down.

Once Thompson is designated for assignment the Cubs will have five days to work out a trade or place the pitcher on waivers. Thompson has a career 3.64 ERA in 104 MLB appearances, which includes 23 starts.