Cubs Activate Brad Boxberger, Option Keegan Thompson

The Cubs have activated Brad Boxberger from the 60-day IL and have optioned Keegan Thompson to Iowa in order to clear a roster spot. Boxberger has been on the IL since May 15 due to a right forearm strain that took quite a while to clear up fully. He boasts a 5.52 ERA with four holds and two saves, walking nine and striking out 13 over 17 relief appearances for the Cubs this season.

That’s not particularly exciting, but Boxberger has high-leverage experience and gives the Cubs another fresh arm in the bullpen.

Thompson is toiling through a very tough season following what looked like a strong start and had spent over three months trying to regain his form in Iowa prior to being recalled in late August. After a scoreless appearance against the Pirates that featured five strikeouts and no walks over two innings, he allowed five earned runs with five strikeouts and five walks over 5.1 innings in three subsequent outings.