CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today recalled right-handed pitcher Keegan Thompson from Triple-A Iowa and right-handed pitcher Jake Jewell has been optioned to Iowa.
Thompson, 26, is slated to make the start when the Cubs host the Kansas City Royals for today’s 1:20 p.m. CT game at Wrigley Field.
Thompson in two stints with Chicago this season has gone 3-2 with one save and a 2.21 ERA (10 ER/40.2 IP) in 27 games (one start) in his debut major league season. He has walked 22 and struck out 43 to go along with a 1.28 WHIP. Thompson started his big league career with 15.0 scoreless innings, the third-longest scoreless streak for a Cub to start his career behind Larry Cheney (28.0 IP) and Vern Olsen (15.1 IP).
The six-foot two-inch Thompson was optioned to Iowa, July 27, and in four starts since has thrown 14.2 scoreless innings allowing five hits and five walks while striking out 16 and holding the opponent to a .104 average and a .314 OPS.
Originally selected by the Cubs in the third round of the 2017 draft out of Auburn University, Thompson is 10-10 with a 3.17 ERA (61 ER/173.1 IP) in 39 minor league games (33 starts), with 44 walks, 167 strikeouts and a 1.06 WHIP.
Jewell, 28, is 0-1 with an 8.00 ERA (8 ER/9.0 IP) in nine relief appearances for Chicago, walking four and striking out 10. In 23 relief appearances for Iowa this season, he is 2-1 with four saves and a 3.34 ERA (10 ER/32.1 IP).
