Blue Jays' Zach Thompson: Will begin year in Triple-A
Rotowire
Thompson was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo by the Blue Jays on Saturday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Thompson did not pitch well in the Grapefruit League, as he allowed eight runs in 11.1 innings with a 1.06 WHIP. The right-hander is likely to be a swingman option for the Blue Jays in 2023, though it's a role that isn't likely to lead to much fantasy relevance.
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Blue Jays' Zach Thompson: Strong outing Thursday
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Thompson gave up a hit and struck out three over 1.2 innings of relief in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.
The 29-year-old right-hander put up mediocre numbers with the Pirates last season while being used primarily as a starter, but the Blue Jays will likely deploy him as a long reliever if he breaks camp on the 26-man roster. Thompson has made a solid case for a spot with a 12:3 K:BB through 11.1 innings this spring.
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Blue Jays' Zach Thompson: Acquired by Toronto
Rotowire
Thompson was acquired by the Blue Jays from the Pirates on Tuesday in exchange for Chavez Young.
Thompson had been designated for assignment last week and he now has a new home. The right-hander put up a 5.18 ERA for the Pirates in 2022 while splitting time between the rotation and bullpen. He should have a chance to compete for a rotation spot in Toronto but could wind up in a swingman role again.
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Pirates' Zach Thompson: Designated for assignment
Rotowire
Thompson was designated for assignment by the Pirates on Thursday.
The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Rich Hill. Thompson held a 5.18 ERA over 29 appearances -- 22 starts -- for the Pirates in 2022. He's a likely bet to pass through waivers unclaimed.
Thompson tossed 2.2 innings out of the bullpen in the Pirates' 6-1 win over the Reds in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader. He struck out one and allowed one earned run on four hits and one walk.
For his second straight appearance, Thompson worked behind starter Johan Oviedo, who exited after tossing five scoreless frames. Even with Pittsburgh maintaining a six-man rotation this week due to the doubleheader, manager Derek Shelton opted to pass over Thompson for a start, as rookie Luis Ortiz was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis to take the hill for the nightcap. Thompson looks like he may finish the season in the bullpen as a multi-inning option.
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Pirates' Zach Thompson: Punches out five
Rotowire
Thompson allowed three hits and one walk while striking out five across four scoreless innings Wednesday against the Brewers. He did not factor into the decision.
Thompson re-entered the rotation after having his spot skipped during the team's weekend series against the Phillies. He was pulled after only 62 pitches but made the most of his opportunity by turning in his first scoreless appearance since June 5. Thompson now has a 5.13 ERA and 79:43 K:BB across 108.2 innings for the season and figures to stick in the Pittsburgh rotation in the short term.
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Pirates' Zach Thompson: Re-enters rotation
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Thompson will start Wednesday's series finale in Milwaukee, Joey Pollizze of MLB.com reports.
The Pirates skipped Thompson's last turn through the rotation, but he ended up receiving a de facto start Friday, when he was needed in long relief after starter Bryse Wilson exited after allowing four runs in the first inning of a loss to the Phillies. Thompson ended up covering five innings and 82 pitches out of the bullpen, so he'll be stretched out enough to make a traditional start as he returns to the hill Wednesday.
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Pirates' Zach Thompson: Works out of bullpen Friday
Rotowire
Thompson made his most recent appearance out of the bullpen in Friday's 7-4 loss to the Phillies, striking out two over five innings while allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and no walks.
Though the Pirates made him available in relief for the weekend series in Philadelphia, Thompson ended up making a de facto spot start Friday when Bryse Wilson was chased from the contest after allowing four runs in the first inning. Thompson's strong effort out of the bullpen wasn't enough to salvage the game for the Pirates, but the right-hander likely resolidified his hold on a rotation spot with the performance. Due to JT Brubaker landing on the paternity list, the Pirates will need to add a new starter to the mix Monday in Milwaukee, but Thompson is unlikely to be a candidate to take the hill after tossing 82 pitches three days earlier.
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Pirates' Zach Thompson: Suffers 10th loss
Rotowire
Thompson (3-10) yielded three runs on eight hits and three walks over five innings Sunday, striking out five and taking a loss against the Reds.
Thompson's outing got off to a rough start when Jake Fraley took him deep to lead off the game. The 28-year-old righty then gave up a two-run shot to Mike Moustakas in the third inning. Thompson has fallen to 0-6 with a brutal 6.26 ERA over his last 12 appearances. He'll carry a 5.51 ERA into his projected matchup in Philadelphia next weekend.
Pirates' Zach Thompson: Roughed up in short outing
Rotowire
Thompson registered a no-decision during Sunday's 8-7 loss to San Francisco, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks with five strikeouts in four innings.
Thompson put multiple runners on in three of his four frames with the big blow coming on a LaMonte Wade three-run home run during a four-run second inning. He departed down 5-0, but Pittsburgh's offense was able to storm back and help the 28-year-old avoid a fourth loss in five starts. During the recent slide, Thompson has surrendered 24 runs across 24 innings while putting 44 runners on base. He carries a 5.34 ERA and 1.51 WHIP into his next start, scheduled for next weekend against Cincinnati.
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Pirates' Zach Thompson: Handed ninth loss
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Thompson (3-9) took the loss during Tuesday's 6-4 defeat at the hands of the Diamondbacks, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks with two strikeouts in 4.2 innings.
Thompson put multiple baserunners on in each of the first three innings, with runs coming across in the first and third innings to put him in line for the loss. The 28-year-old has now lost five straight decisions and it's been nine starts since he last recorded a win June 5. During that stretch, Thompson has posted a 5.57 ERA while averaging just over five innings per turn. He carries a 5.08 ERA and 1.47 WHIP into his next start, scheduled to come over the weekend in San Francisco.
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Pirates' Zach Thompson: Short outing against Brewers
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Thompson allowed three earned runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five across 4.1 innings Thursday against the Brewers. He did not factor into the decision.
Thompson allowed a pair of home runs, which accounted for three of the four runs he was charged with. He's had a dreadful three-start stretch since the All-Star break, during which he's allowed 17 earned runs across 15.1 innings. That's inflated his ERA on the season to 5.15 across 85.2 frames.
Thompson (3-8) allowed seven earned runs on 11 hits and no walks while striking out four across 5.2 innings to take the loss Thursday against the Phillies.
Thompson wasn't helped by his defense in the first inning, but he was still hit hard. He appeared to settle in after allowing four runs across his first two frames but then coughed up a three-run homer to Kyle Schwarber in the sixth inning to end his outing on a sour note. Thompson has allowed 14 earned runs across his last two starts -- spanning 11 innings -- which has ballooned his ERA to 5.09 for the season.
Thompson (3-7) yielded seven runs on nine hits and two walks over 5.1 innings Friday, striking out two and taking the loss against Miami.
Thompson tossed three scoreless frames before the Marlins broke out in the fourth. He coughed up four runs that inning followed by three more in the sixth. Entering Friday's start, Thompson had allowed two or fewer runs in seven straight outings. His season ERA jumped from 4.09 to 4.64 through 75.2 frames. Thompson is projected to face the Phillies at home next week.
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Pirates' Zach Thompson: Limits Marlins to one run
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Thompson allowed one earned run on four hits and three walks while striking out two across 6.2 innings Thursday against the Marlins. He did not factor into the decision.
Thompson surrendered half of his hits and his only earned run in the fifth inning. He otherwise held the Marlins in check by inducing 11 groundouts, though he did also generate 13 swinging strikes on 100 total pitches. Perhaps most encouraging, Thursday's effort was the first time Thompson completed six innings since May 14 -- a span of eight starts. He now owns a 4.09 ERA and 49:30 K:BB across 70.1 innings on the season.
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Pirates' Zach Thompson: Decent in no-decision
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Thompson didn't factor into the decision during Saturday's 4-3 win against the Brewers, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks with four strikeouts in 4.2 innings.
Thompson struggled Saturday, putting multiple Brewers on base in four of his five innings, but he was able to strand seven of the nine baserunners. The 28-year-old has kept the opposition to two runs or fewer in each of his last six turns, though he's averaging just under five innings during those starts. Thompson lines up to face his former team in Miami next week.
