PITTSBURGH – The Chicago Cubs today recalled right-handed pitcher Keegan Thompson from Triple-A Iowa and optioned right-handed pitcher Michael Rucker to Iowa.
Thompson, 28, has allowed two earned runs in 8.1 innings (2.16 ERA) spanning his last four outings with Iowa dating to August 9, having walked one with eight strikeouts. Tossed at least 2.0 innings in each of those four appearances.
The six-foot one-inch Thompson opened the season with Chicago and pitched to a 2-2 record with a 4.22 ERA (10 ER/21.1 IP), 14 walks and 16 strikeouts in 15 relief appearances before he was optioned to Iowa May 19. In 16 outings with the I-Cubs, he is 2-0 with a 9.36 ERA (26 ER/27.0 IP), including a 4.72 ERA (7 ER/13.1 IP) in seven outings since July 29.
In all or part of three seasons since making his big-league debut with the Cubs in 2021, Thompson is 15-10 with two saves and a 3.70 ERA (78 ER/189.2 IP) in 76 games (23 starts). He has walked 88, struck out 179 and pitched to a 1.34 WHIP. He was selected by Chicago in the third round of 2017 First-Year Player Draft out of Auburn University.
Rucker, 29, is 2-1 with a 4.91 ERA (22 ER/40.1 IP) in 35 relief appearances with Chicago this season. In 96 career major league games since making his debut with the Cubs in 2021, is 5-2 with a 4.96 ERA (68 ER/123.1 IP).
