Thompson makes Rays' Opening Day roster
ST. PETERSBURG -- Last week, manager Kevin Cash said that Ryan Thompson was going to help the Rays at "some point" during the 2020 season. That point appears to be on Opening Day.
On Wednesday, as the Rays continue to construct their Opening Day roster, the club informed Thompson that his performance during Spring Training and Summer Camp had earned him a spot on the 30-man roster, giving the 28-year-old his first opportunity to compete at the big league level.
Over the past three weeks, perhaps no pitcher has been more impressive during Summer Camp than Thompson. With how talented the Tampa Bay pitching staff is projected to be this season, that's no small feat.
"Obviously the delivery and where he releases the ball from, but he's doing it at 92 mph," Cash said when asked about Thompson last week. "That's not a fun at-bat. Even some left-handers commented on the sweeping breaking ball."
Thompson spent his first four seasons with the Astros' organization, but he was selected by the Rays in the Rule 5 Draft in 2018. Thompson underwent Tommy John surgery at the beginning of '18, which was ultimately the reason why he didn't get a chance to pitch in the Majors and what forced the Astros to leave him exposed during the Rule 5 Draft.
In 2019, Thompson, a sidearm pitcher, recovered from the procedure and made 16 appearances between Class A Advanced Charlotte and Double-A Montgomery, posting a 2.70 ERA and striking out 25 in 23 1/3 innings of work. Now that he's fully healthy, Thompson will fill a sudden need in Tampa Bay's bullpen.
With Colin Poche sidelined for the season with a torn UCL, the Rays are looking for bullpen options who can pitch well against both righties and lefties. Though Thompson has not played in any big league games, Tampa Bay believes he could be an option, along with Pete Fairbanks and Oliver Drake.
Austin Meadows, Brendan McKay and Randy Arozarena have still not been spotted at Summer Camp, which makes it likely that they start the season on the injured list, potentially opening up a spot on the 40-man roster for Thompson. Placing Brent Honeywell Jr., who will not pitch this season due to injury, on the 45-day IL is also a possibility for Tampa Bay.
Adding Thompson to the roster also makes it likely that the Rays start the season with 16 or 17 pitchers. The club has until noon on Thursday to finalize its 30-man roster.
Chirinos scheduled to pitch Thursday
Yonny Chirinos, who returned to Summer Camp earlier this week after testing positive for COVID-19 during intake testing, is scheduled to throw to hitters on Thursday at Tropicana Field. It will be the first time that Chirinos throws to hitters during Summer Camp, which will give the Rays a better idea of how much length the right-hander will be able to give the team at the beginning of the season.
If all checks out well, Chirinos could start the season as the No. 5 starter or could piggyback Trevor Richards in the same game. Chirinos' availability could be the deciding factor on whether the Rays begin the season with 16 or 17 pitchers.