Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Needs help in ninth inning
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Thompson allowed two runs on two hits while striking out one over a third of an inning in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Yankees.
Thompson entered to start the ninth inning and close out a 4-0 lead, but he ran into early trouble and was removed after giving up a couple of singles. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo brought in one of his closers, the left-handed A.J. Puk, to face the mostly left-handed batters due up. The one righty in that string of batters, Anthony Volpe, took Puk deep for a three-run home run. Thompson was a reliable arm in a setup role for the Diamondbacks in 2024, primarily serving as a seventh- and eighth-inning bridge.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Avoids arbitration
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Thompson agreed on a one-year contract with the Diamondbacks on Thursday to avoid arbitration.
Thompson and Arizona were able to reach a deal before Thursday's deadline, though the complete details of the contract are currently unknown. The right-hander appeared in 67 regular-season games with the Diamondbacks in 2024, producing a 3.26 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 52 strikeouts, two saves and 24 holds over 66.1 innings. Thompson will likely continue to operate as a high-leverage reliever with Arizona in 2025.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Suffers tough loss in key game
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Thompson (7-4) was the losing pitcher in Saturday's game against the Dodgers, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out one over one inning.
Thompson entered with one out and a runner on and got the Diamondbacks out of the eighth inning unscathed, but trouble followed him in the ninth. He was removed after a pair of singles and a sacrifice bunt, then watched Justin Martinez let his two runners score. Thompson has largely been a dependable bullpen arm but is showing cracks this month. The submarining right-hander has a 6.17 ERA and a .327 batting-average against over 11.2 innings in August.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Blows save, gets win
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Thompson (6-3) picked up a blown save and the win in Monday's 7-6 extra-inning win over the Guardians. He allowed one run on one hit and struck out one over one inning.
This was Thompson's third save opportunity since Paul Sewald was removed from the closer's role last week, and it's been a mixed bag. He converted one Friday and was bailed out by A.J. Puk on Sunday before Monday's result. Justin Martinez eventually converted the save in the 10th inning. Thompson has allowed a run in all three save chances.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Notches first save
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Thompson earned a save against Washington on Wednesday, issuing a walk and striking out a batter over a scoreless two-thirds of an inning.
Paul Sewald got a chance at a save with Arizona up three runs entering the ninth frame, but he retired only one batter while walking three and allowing a double. Thompson then came in to put out the fire and did so successfully despite allowing an inherited runner to score on a passed ball and issuing an intentional walk. After the game, Arizona manager Torey Lovullo was non-committal about Sewald remaining the team's closer, but that doesn't necessarily mean that Thompson would get the next crack at the role if a change is made. The right-hander has been very successful in a setup role this season with a 1.81 ERA, 19 holds and 32:5 K:BB, yet Kevin Ginkel and A.J. Puk -- both of whom pitched before the ninth frame Wednesday -- have more closing experience and would be more likely candidates to step in as closer, temporarily or otherwise, if Sewald is moved out of the role.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Gets four outs, hold
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Thompson allowed two hits and struck out one over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn a hold in Saturday's 3-2 win over Miami.
Thompson earned his seventh hold of the season, retiring four batters before letting Joe Mantiply shepherd the one-run lead to closer Paul Sewald. This was fourth time in the last six outings that Thompson worked more than one frame, and the right-hander hasn't allowed an earned run over the last 13 innings.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Makes fifth scoreless appearance
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Thompson allowed a hit and struck out one over 1.1 scoreless innings in Friday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to Atlanta.
Thompson made his fifth appearance and has yet to give up a run or walk. On a night when the bullpen blew a three-run lead -- including a blown save by fill-in closer Kevin Ginkel -- Thompson's performance stood out. Thompson worked the eighth and ninth innings in his previous appearances this season before entering Friday's game in the sixth.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Could get save chances
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Thompson moves up a spot in the bullpen following the news that closer Paul Sewald (oblique) will open the season on the injured list.
Arizona manager Torey Lovullo didn't immediately name any one reliever as a replacement closer, although he did tell Steve Gilbert of MLB.com that there is "a very logical choice." By that, Lovullo was referring to Kevin Ginkel, who is expected to serve as the primary closer while Sewald heals. Lovullo also said he is not going to "anoint anybody to close right now," leaving the door open for others, like Thompson. He was an important late-inning, setup reliever after being traded to the Diamondbacks during the stretch drive in 2023. Thompson recorded a 0.69 ERA over 13 innings in the regular season and was a featured high-leverage option during the postseason. The right-hander continued his fine work this spring, allowing one unearned run over seven innings.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Sets up save
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Thompson allowed one hit while striking out two over a scoreless inning in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the White Sox.
Thompson pitched the eighth inning, preserving the lead for Paul Sewald who converted the save. Kevin Ginkel is normally the choice to pitch the eighth inning of close games, but manager Torey Lovullo went another way after Ginkel's most recent outing Monday when he was tagged with the loss. The manager rewarded Thompson, who has been effective since being added to the Diamondbacks' bullpen in late August. The reliever has a 0.75 ERA and 0.50 WHIP over 12 innings.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Notches save in team debut
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Thompson struck out one batter in a perfect inning and earned a save against the Reds on Sunday.
Thompson was promoted from Triple-A Reno on Sunday and was thrown right into a save situation. He posted a 6.11 ERA in 17.2 innings with the Rays this season before being designated for assignment. Scott McGough threw 1.2 innings while Paul Sewald did not appear in Sunday's game.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Moves up to Arizona
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The Diamondbacks selected Thompson's contract from Triple-A Reno on Sunday.
Arizona designated right-hander Nabil Crismatt for assignment to clear room in the bullpen for Thompson, who could make his Diamondbacks debut in Sunday's series finale with the Reds. Before inking a minor-league deal with Arizona earlier this month following his release from Tampa Bay, Thompson had produced a 6.11 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 12:7 K:BB in 17.2 innings at the big-league level with the Rays this season.
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Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Inks minor-league deal
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Thompson (undisclosed) signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Sunday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Thompson saw some high-leverage work with the Rays between 2021 and 2022 but struggled earlier this year, posting a 6.11 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 17.2 innings over 18 relief appearances. He was on the injured list with an undisclosed issue before being released by Tampa Bay, and it's not yet clear whether he's back to full health.
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Rays' Ryan Thompson: Bumped off 40-man roster
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The Rays designated Thompson (undisclosed) for assignment Wednesday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
Before he was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Aug. 2, Thompson had accrued a 6.11 ERA while striking out 12 batters over 17.2 innings in the big leagues this season. His results at Durham (3.26 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 24 strikeouts in 19.1 innings) have been better, but he hasn't pitched for the affiliate since his demotion after being placed on the 7-day injured list Aug. 6. He'll likely stick around at Durham if he goes unclaimed upon being exposed to waivers.
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Rays' Ryan Thompson: Returns to majors
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Thompson was recalled from Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The Rays needed six pitchers to get through Wednesday's loss to the Phillies, so they're bringing in Thompson as a fresh bullpen arm. He's posted a 5.94 ERA in 17 appearances with Tampa Bay in 2023.
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Rays' Ryan Thompson: Optioned to Triple-A
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Thompson was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Sunday, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.
Thompson will head to Durham after he's surrendered at least one run in four out of his last five appearances. Over that stretch, the right-hander has given up nine runs over five frames, raising his season-long ERA from 1.80 to 6.60. He'll look to recenter himself with Triple-A before being returned to the major-league roster later this season. In a corresponding move, right-hander Cooper Criswell will join the Rays in Tampa Bay.
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Rays' Ryan Thompson: Activated from injured list
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Thompson was activated from the 15-day injured list by the Rays on Friday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
Thompson wound up needing only a minimum stay on the injured list due to a strained right lat. Zack Burdi was optioned to clear space on the roster and in the bullpen.
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Rays' Ryan Thompson: Heads to IL with lat strain
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Thompson was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right lat strain, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.
There is no public timetable yet, but this is an injury that can sometimes cost pitchers multiple months. Trevor Kelley will replace Thompson in the Rays' bullpen.
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Rays' Ryan Thompson: Shut down for season
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Thompson (triceps) has been diagnosed with a stress reaction in his right elbow and will be shut down for the rest of the season, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
Thompson has been on the injured list since the end of August due to right triceps inflammation, and he recently experienced discomfort in his elbow while throwing. In spite of his shutdown, he's expected to be ready for spring training in 2023. Over 47 relief appearances in 2022, Thompson converted three of eight save chances while picking up 10 holds with a 3.80 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 42.2 innings.
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Rays' Ryan Thompson: Heading to restricted list
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Thompson will be placed on the restricted list and won't travel with Tampa Bay for the upcoming five-game series in Toronto, which begins Thursday, due to Canada's vaccination requirement, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Thompson allowed a walk and had two strikeouts over two scoreless innings during Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Brewers, but he won't be available to face the Blue Jays on the road since he's apparently unvaccinated. The 30-year-old will be able to rejoin the team ahead of Monday's game at Boston.
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Rays' Ryan Thompson: Picks up save
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Thompson did not allow a baserunner and struck out one across a scoreless ninth inning to record the save Sunday against Boston.
Thompson entered the game with a three-run lead and needed 16 pitches to retire the side in order to record his first save of the season. Andrew Kittredge had served as the team's primary closer to this point in the campaign, though he pitched two innings Saturday and was likely unavailable as a result. While Thompson has delivered 6.1 scoreless innings early on this season, he isn't likely to regularly factor into the saves picture for Tampa Bay.
