Chicago Cubs pitcher Keegan Thompson will open the season in a multi-inning relief role, according to manager David Ross. The right-hander was excellent in a versatile swingman-type role last season. He finished the season with a 3.76 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 108/43 K/BB ratio across 115 innings (29 appearances, 17 starts). The fact he's going to be used in this role instead of a full-time starter is going to limit his fantasy value. This decision means Hayden Wesneski, Javier Assad and Adrian Sampson should all be in the mix for the vacant rotation spot.

The Chicago Cubs placed right-hander Keegan Thompson (back) on the 15-day injured list with lower back tightness on Saturday and recalled Anderson Espinoza from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move. Thompson's last two outings haven't gone well, and perhaps his back injury is mostly to blame. He lasted only 3 2/3 innings against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night and allowed five earned runs to raise his season ERA to 3.97 (4.57 FIP) in 25 appearances (17 starts). The 27-year-old also has a 1.31 WHIP, 91 strikeouts and 37 walks in 104 1/3 innings pitched. It remains to be seen if Thompson will be able to return when he's eligible on Sept. 6, but fantasy managers in deeper leagues should try to keep him stashed.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Keegan Thompson had a rough start against the Brewers on Friday, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three over three and two-thirds innings. Although Thompson has been useful this season, he has really struggled recently, pitching to an 8.44 ERA in four August starts. This coincides with his velocity being down over this time period, which was especially notable today as most of his pitchers were two miles per hour slower than his yearly average, including his four-seamer. Thompson was already getting by on what seemed to be smoke-and-mirrors, and if he's losing velocity on top of that it's hard to see him being useful. He shouldn't be started next week, as he faces a solid Cardinals lineup.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Keegan Thompson improved his record to a sparkling 6-0 on Thursday as his club defeated the Cardinals 7-5. He allowed three runs on five hits and three walks across 5 1/3 IP, striking out a trio in the 89-pitch performance. The Cardinals got to the right-hander with a pair of runs on a rally in the third, and then chased him from the game in the sixth before the bullpen allowed one of his runners to come around to score on a force out. Thompson has surprised many this season with a 1.99 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 38 K through 45 1/3 IP as he'll match up with the Orioles in a favorable road start next week.

Chicago Cubs right-handed pitcher Keegan Thompson has been suspended three games for intentionally throwing at Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Andrew McCutchen in this past Saturday's game. Thompson threw three straight pitches inside, with the last pitch hitting McCutchen in the hip. Both teams' benches cleared after the incident. Prior to McCutchen being hit by Thompson's pitch, multiple Cubs hitters were hit by pitches from Brewers pitchers, so Thompson's beaming of Cutch was easily classified as retaliation.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Keegan Thompson struggled in Thursday's start versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. Thompson was only able to make it through 1 2/3 innings and allowed four hits, three runs, two walks and struck out three on the evening. The young pitching prospect was great out of the bullpen for the Cubs in the first half, but has struggled since entering the rotation in the second half of the season. He is 3-3 on the year with a 3.54 ERA in 30 games (four starts). Next up for Thompson will be a date with the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday. He can remain on the waiver wire moving forward.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Keegan Thompson struggled in Friday's no-decision versus the Chicago White Sox. Thompson was gifted a 6-0 lead before throwing his first pitch, but he wasn't able to do much with it. Thompson was yanked in the bottom of the third inning with two runners on and no outs for relief pitcher Adrian Sampson. Sampson would then serve up a three-run blast to Yasmani Grandal. Thompson would finish with a line of five hits, five runs (four earned), two walks and one strikeout in two innings. The rookie pitched very well out of the bullpen for the Cubs this season, but he has now struggled in two straight starts and can be avoided in all formats for now. Next up for Thompson will be a matchup versus the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Keegan Thompson tossed four innings his Saturday's start versus the Kansas City Royals. Thompson was recently sent down to Triple-A Iowa to get stretched out for a starting role in the second half and Saturday marked his return. The young right-hander went four innings and allowed five hits, two runs, two walks and struck out one on the afternoon. With the Cubs switching to a six-man rotation and in the midst of a complete rebuild, Thompson will have a fair shot at remaining a starter moving forward. For the season, Thompson is 3-3 with a 2.42 ERA in 28 games (two starts). Thompson's next turn in the rotation will be in a tough matchup versus the Chicago White Sox next weekend and it would be wise to avoid him in that matchup.

Chicago Cubs right-hander Keegan Thompson will start Saturday's game to take on the Kansas City Royals, according to Meghan Montemurro of The Chicago Tribune. Thompson has pitched almost exclusively out of the bullpen this season, save for one start. He posted a 2.21 ERA with 43 strikeouts, 22 walks and added a save and a hold across 40.2 IP before he was optioned to Triple-A in late July. It's unclear if Thompson will remain in the rotation afterwards, but he is a deep-league streaming option against a lowly Royals offense who can provide above-average strikeout numbers. With Thompson currently in the minors, a corresponding move will be made.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Keegan Thompson could be joining the team's starting rotation as soon as this weekend. Cubs manager David Ross told reporters that Thompson could start Saturday's game against the Kansas City Royals. Thompson threw 62 pitches in his last start at Triple-A Iowa, where he has been stretching out his workload with the plan to join the Cubs' rotation at some point. The 26-year-old Thompson has made 27 appearances (including one start) with the Cubs this year and has gone 3-2 with a 2.21 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. He's been phenomenal over four starts at Triple-A this year, posting a 0.00 ERA and 0.68 WHIP over 14.2 innings.