The Rockies looked for a right-hander Keegan Thompson to be waived by the Reds, according to announcements by both clubs. Cincinnati had designated him active last month. Colorado’s 40-man count increases from 38 to 39. DFA limbo is usually closed for one week but there are exceptions during the holidays, so Thompson was there for about two weeks.
Thompson, 31, just signed with the Reds in November. He will have a split deal this year, making $1.3MM in salary in the majors. It may seem curious for a team to sign a pitcher and cut him from the roster next month, but these types of transactions are becoming more common in baseball. The hope for the team is that the player clears them and stays in the organization but without taking a place on the list.
The best situation is what the Orioles got themselves into Ryan O’Hearn. They acquired him from the Royals in January of 2023 and designated him for assignment a few days later. He cleared waivers and stayed in Baltimore’s program. He later returned to the lineup and became a productive member of the club for over two years.
Thompson has just over three years of major league service. That means he has the right to decline a direct assignment and opt for free agency. However, since he has less than five years of service, he will have to give up his remaining salary obligations to exercise that right. It appears that the Reds signed him to that $1.3MM deal in hopes that it would be enough for other teams to pass on his offer and for Thompson to accept a Triple-A assignment.
The Rockies spoiled that plan, which makes sense to them. They had several roster spots open and were in dire need of weapons. It’s always a challenge to pitch well at Coors Field but things have been getting worse lately. The Rockies had a combined 5.99 earned run average in 2025.
Thompson has had Cubans in his career. He was drafted by the team in 2017 and was with them through the 2025 season. He threw 227 1/3 innings from 2021 to 2024 with a 3.64 ERA. His four-seamer and two-sink machine averages 93 miles per hour as he also includes a cutter, slider, curveball and changeup. His 23% strikeout rate and 41% ground ball rate were in line with the league average but his 11.3% walk rate was high.
He served his last season in 2024. The Cubs waived him in March of 2025 and he remained with the team in lieu of the unsigned last year. He threw 64 innings over 33 Triple-A appearances, including five starts, with a 4.50 ERA. His low 41.4% strikeout rate was typical for him but his 8.9% walk rate and 29.5% strikeout rate were both interesting improvements. His ERA might have been more impressive if not for a .367 batting average in balls in play. He was not drafted and became a free agent at the end of the season.
The Rockies will bring Thompson in and make him compete for a spot. He has served as both starter and reliever in his career and can help in either department, or split between the two roles. General manager Josh Byrnes said this week that he hopes the veterans will eat innings without rotation this year.
Photo courtesy of Darren Yamashita, Imagn Images
