Cubs Option RHP Keegan Thompson to Iowa, Recall RHP Corey Abbott, LHP Kyle Ryan

There were bound to be some bullpen moves following the Andrew Chafin trade to the Oakland Athletics, and now we have clarity on those moves. The Cubs have optioned Keegan Thompson to Iowa and recalled both Cory Abbott and Kyle Ryan.

#Cubs option RHP Keegan Thompson to Triple-A Iowa. (assuming he gets stretched out). Cory Abbott and LHP Kyle Ryan recalled.

— Russell Dorsey (@Russ_Dorsey1) July 27, 2021

The prevailing belief is that Thompson will be stretched out with the objective of getting him some big league starts as the season continues. In 40.2 innings pitched, Thompson is sporting a very good 2.21 ERA but that’s countered, in part, by a FIP of 4.97. He’s also carrying a high 4.87 BB/9.

It’s likely that the Cubs now have enough data to work Thompson into a larger starting role, particularly in the event that the Cubs trade any of their starting pitchers or Jake Arrieta doesn’t end up successfully returning to the active roster.