Zach

Thompson

Thompson provides Atlanta with some additional relief depth heading into next season after not pitching in affiliated ball this past season. The 31-year-old righty made 55 appearances (36 starts) between the Marlins and Pirates from 2021 to 2022 and hasn’t appeared in the big leagues ever since. He’s merely extra organizational relief depth for the Braves.

Thompson passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment earlier this week and will presumably remain with the Blue Jays as extra organizational pitching depth. The 29-year-old righty has yet to appear in the majors this season after being acquired from the Pirates back in January.

Toronto needed to free up a spot on their 40-man roster and Thompson wound up drawing the short straw. He hasn’t appeared in the majors this season after being acquired from the Pirates back in January.

Thompson struggled last year to a pedestrian 5.18 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 90/46 K/BB ratio across 121 2/3 innings (29 appearances, 22 starts) with the Pirates. He was acquired from Pittsburgh back in January in a small trade and will give the Blue Jays some extra organizational pitching depth.

The Red Sox were finally beaten for the first time this spring, with Thompson leading the way in a shutout. The Blue Jays got Thompson from the Pirates in January, though they wanted him more for Triple-A depth than as a potential member of the Opening Day roster. He appears to be seventh or eighth on the starting pitching depth chart.

Thompson was designated for assignment by the Pirates last week and will head to the Blue Jays in a small trade. The 29-year-old right-hander compiled a lackluster 5.18 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 90/46 K/BB ratio across 121 2/3 innings (29 appearances, 22 starts) last season for the Pirates. He projects as a versatile swingman in Toronto with the ability to pitch in long relief or make the occasional spot start, if necessary.

Thompson gets the boot to clear out a roster spot for veteran starter Rich Hill, whose one-year, $8 million agreement with the Pirates became official on Thursday afternoon. Thompson, 29, struggled to a 5.18 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in 22 starts and seven relief appearances last season for Pittsburgh.

Thompson has been splitting time between starting and relieving lately, which seems to explain why he was lifted after throwing just 62 pitches over his four frames. The big right-hander gave up three singles and one walk, generating an impressive 11 swinging strikes. If Thompson gets another start, it would likely come against the Mets.

Thompson took the ball for Sunday’s series finale and gave up eight hits, including a pair of home runs over five frames. He struck out five batters and also handed out a pair of free passes. It’s unclear whether he’ll make another turn in the Pirates’ starting rotation, but he’s lined up to face the Phillies next weekend. He’s not a recommended streaming option for fantasy managers moving forward.

He also gave up seven hits, walked two, and struck out five. Thompson failed to complete five innings for the third start in a row on Sunday. He probably would have come back out to pitch the bottom of the fifth if he didn’t let Joc Pederson score on a double in the previous frame. A Saturday night home start against the Reds is next up.