Cubs Activate Keegan Thompson, Option Jeremiah Estrada

The Cubs have activated right-handed pitcher Keegan Thompson off the 15-day injured list and optioned right-handed pitcher Jeremiah Estrada to Triple-A Iowa. Thompson, 27, landed on the 15-day injured list August 20 with low back tightness. He made one rehab start with Iowa on September 16, throwing 2.1 innings and allowing one hit, one run, and one walk with four strikeouts.

Thompson is 9-5 with a 3.97 ERA in 25 games (17 starts), striking out 91 batters with 37 walks.  He leads the team with nine wins and ranks second in strikeouts. Thompson started the season in the bullpen before moving into the starting rotation for good on May 28.

He is not listed as one of the Cubs’ probable starters for the next four games, however, and could remain in the bullpen through the end of the season to limit his innings. Thompson has a 1.38 ERA (4 ER/26.0 IP) in eight relief appearances, his most recent coming on May 22.

Estrada has a 3.18 ERA  with eight strikeouts and two walks in five appearances with the Cubs. He made his major league debut August 30 at Toronto, throwing one inning with one walk and two strikeouts.