Cubs roster move: Keegan Thompson added from alternate site, Kyle Ryan optioned

The Cubs keep playing musical chairs with relief pitchers.

Before Saturday’s game:

Thompson is 26 and was the Cubs’ third-round pick out of Auburn in 2017. He pitched in four games (five innings) in spring training this year with a 9.00 ERA and five strikeouts. He has yet to play above Double-A, though he likely would have been in Triple-A if there had been a minor-league season in 2020.

Ryan will likely be yo-yoed like this between Triple-A Iowa and the Cubs this year, since he has options remaining.

Meghan Montemurro’s tweet says Thompson’s contract was “purchased,” though he was already on the Cubs’ 40-man roster, having been added last November to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. He was optioned out from Spring Training on March 15.

Thompson had been on the Cubs’ taxi squad on this road trip, so he should be in the pen and available for this afternoon’s game. The game preview will post at 1 p.m. CT.