RYAN THOMPSON NEWS

Tampa Bay Rays wading into uncharted pitching territory with 13 closers

The Tampa Bay Rays have set an MLB record with 13 pitchers recording saves this season. Jordan Shusterman breaks it down.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

Shut down from throwing Thompson (shoulder) was recently shut down from throwing due to ongoing soreness in his shoulder, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact The right-hander's return from the injured list was pushed back a few days when he was struck by a comebacker in the leg last week, and his return will now be delayed significantly longer. It's unclear how long Thompson will be shut down, but there's a chance it could prevent him from rejoining the Rays before the end of the regular season.

AUGUST 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Return timeline pushed back The Rays aren't expected to bring Thompson (shoulder) back from the 60-day injured list for at least a few more days after he was struck on the leg by a comebacker in his latest re...

Impact On the shelf since late June with right shoulder inflammation, Thompson was cleared to begin a rehab assignment in mid-August and has made five appearances between the rookie-level Florida Complex League and Triple-A. Thompson doesn't appear to have suffered a major snag in his recovery program after being struck by the comebacker, but the Rays may want to see him complete one more rehab outing before activating him.

AUGUST 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Back on mound in Durham Thompson (shoulder) fired a scoreless eighth inning in Triple-A Durham's loss to Jacksonville on Sunday, allowing a hit and a walk while recording a strikeout.

Impact Thompson had reported feeling some shoulder tightness after his rehab appearance Wednesday, but he returned to the mound Friday with a scoreless inning before repeating the feat Sunday. The right-hander has now logged four rehab outings overall with the Bulls, and assuming he remains free of setbacks, could be ready for activation from the 60-day IL when first eligible Friday.

AUGUST 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Residual fatigue after rehab Thompson (shoulder) felt "Ok, not great" following his rehab appearance with Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, the Associated Press reports.

Impact The description of Thompson's condition a day after his sharp seven-pitch outing came from manager Kevin Cash himself. The right-handed reliever can't be activated for another week anyhow, so Thompson should have additional opportunities to build up his stamina and could always stay on the injured list for a bit longer if necessary as well.

AUGUST 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Impressive in first Durham outing Thompson (shoulder) fired a scoreless eighth inning in Triple-A Durham's win over Jacksonville on Wednesday, allowing a hit while recording two strikeouts.

Impact Despite allowing a hit, Thompson couldn't have been more efficient in terms of location, as he fired all seven of his pitches for strikes. The 29-year-old's appearance Wednesday was actually the second of his rehab assignment, as he also logged a scoreless inning for the FCL Rays on Monday. Thompson's recent transfer to the 60-day injured list means he can't be activated before Aug. 27, so he should have a chance to make at least a couple more appearances, at minimum, with the Bulls.

AUGUST 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Set to begin rehab assignment Manager Kevin Cash announced that Thompson (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Impact Thompson has been working his way back from shoulder inflammation that has sidelined him since late June. The right-hander most recently tossed a live batting practice session Friday, and he has now gotten the green light to begin a rehab stint. Given the length of Thompson's absence, he's likely to get a hand full of outings under his belt with Durham before being activated, which means he probably won't return to the Rays' bullpen until the last few days of August at the earliest.

AUGUST 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Rehab assignment coming soon Manager Kevin Cash said Thompson (shoulder) could begin a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Florida Complex League early next week, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network report...

Impact Before the Rays map out a rehab schedule for Thompson, he'll first need to make it through a live batting practice session Friday without issue. Thompson currently resides on the 60-day injured list and isn't eligible to rejoin the Tampa Bay bullpen until late August.

AUGUST 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Logs another bullpen session Thompson (shoulder) completed a 25-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Thompson has now completed two side sessions in the last three days without incident, a sign that he could be ready to take the next step forward in his rehab. After being moved to the 60-day injured list earlier this month, Thompson won't be eligible to rejoin the Tampa Bay bullpen until the final week of August at the earliest.

AUGUST 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Bullpen session successful Thompson (shoulder) threw a successful bullpen session Saturday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Impact Thompson's rehab hasn't been progressing as quickly as the team had initially hoped, but his successful return to the mound Saturday is a significant step in his recovery. Since the right-hander isn't eligible to return until early September, the team will see how his shoulder responds in the coming days before determining when his next throwing session will occur.

AUGUST 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Slated to throw bullpen Thompson (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Impact Thompson was transferred to the 60-day injured list earlier in the week, but he'll continue mound work following Tuesday's transaction. The right-hander isn't eligible to return until early September, but he's still making progress following his brief shutdown in July.

AUGUST 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Shifts to 60-day IL The Rays transferred Thompson (shoulder) on Tuesday from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Thompson was shut down in late June with right shoulder inflammation, and while the Rays were initially optimistic that he would return from the IL within a month, he wasn't progressing in his recovery as quickly as anticipated. The Rays haven't indicated where Thompson currently stands in his rehab program, but the move to the 60-day IL means he likely won't be ready to rejoin the big club until September.

AUGUST 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Bullpen session upcoming Thompson (shoulder) is expected to throw a bullpen session Friday or Saturday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Impact Thompson was shut down from throwing shortly before the All-Star break after experiencing some discomfort during a session, but he's apparently now set to pick things back up. The 29-year-old isn't expected to be activated at any point during the initial series of the second half against Atlanta.

JULY 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Won't return out of break Thompson (shoulder) isn't expected to make his return from the 10-day injured list until the final week of July, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Thompson was placed on the IL on June 30 and was recently shut down from throwing, though he looks poised to resume activity shortly. However, the Rays will still want to see Thompson complete a rehab assignment at Triple-A Durham before he rejoins the active roster, so he'll likely remain sidelined for the club's first three or four series coming out of the All-Star break. The 29-year-old righty owns a 2.38 ERA and 1.03 WHIP to go with a 37:9 K:BB, 11 holds and three wins across 36 relief appearances this season.

JULY 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Shut down from throwing Thompson (shoulder) has been shut down from throwing temporarily, the team's official site reports.

Impact The right-hander was able to throw Sunday and Monday with relatively minimal soreness, but he then felt an increase in discomfort during a Thursday session. As such, Thompson was given Friday and Saturday off, and he'll attempt to resume throwing Sunday. If all goes without setbacks, the reliever should be ready to return sometime shortly after the All-Star break.

JULY 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on 10-day IL Thompson was placed on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation Wednesday, retroactive to June 28, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Impact Thompson gave up two runs in two-thirds of an inning Sunday but still earned the hold against the Angels. It's not yet clear whether his injury will force him to miss more than the minimum of 10 days, but he'll be eligible to return just before the All-Star break. Left-hander Ryan Sherriff was recalled from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move.

JUNE 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Up to nine holds Thompson garnered his ninth hold in a win over the Nationals on Tuesday, firing two-thirds scoreless innings during which he recorded two strikeouts.

Impact Thompson inherited a certifiable mess from bullpen mate J.P. Feyereisen, who walked three of the four batters he faced to open the eighth inning and jam the bases. However, Thompson was masterful when called upon, recording strikeouts of Ryan Zimmerman and Josh Bell to snuff out the threat. The 28-year-old continues to be one of manager Kevin Cash's most reliable later-inning options, and he's now generated nine scoreless efforts in his last 10 appearances.

JUNE 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Gets seventh hold in win Thompson recorded his seventh hold in a win over the Yankees on Monday, firing a scoreless eighth inning during which he recorded two strikeouts.

Impact Thompson was optimally efficient, firing 10 of 12 pitches for strikes during a dominant frame. The right-hander has churned out six scoreless appearances in his last seven trips to the mound, a 6.2-inning stretch during which he's posted a win in addition to Monday's hold and lowered his ERA from 2.55 to 2.22.

JUNE 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Rays' Ryan Thompson on Yankees: 'They hate us' Tampa Bay reliever Ryan Thompson and his teammates will have no problem getting motivated when the Rays and the New York Yankees renew their...

MAY 30, 2021 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM

Rays' Ryan Thompson on Yankees:'They hate us' ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay reliever Ryan Thompson and his teammates will have no problem getting motivated when the Rays and the...

MAY 30, 2021 • WINNIPEGFREEPRESS.COM

Rays' Ryan Thompson on Yankees: 'They hate us'

Tampa Bay reliever Ryan Thompson and his teammates will have no problem getting motivated when the Rays and the New York Yankees renew their intense AL East rivalry on Monday

MAY 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Earns win after scoreless outing Thompson (3-2) earned the win Wednesday against the Orioles after pitching a scoreless inning in relief, allowing one hit and striking out three.

Impact Thompson might have allowed a one-out triple to Austin Hays, but he struck out the other three batters he faced -- Cedric Mullins, Trey Mancini and Pedro Severino -- en route to his third win of the campaign. The 28-year-old right-hander has allowed just two runs (one earned) across 7.2 innings in nine appearances this month.

MAY 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Charged with loss Wednesday Thompson (2-2) allowed one run on two hits while striking out two in an inning of work as he took the loss against the Yankees on Wednesday.

Impact Thompson took over for Ryan Yarbrough in the sixth and easily struck out both batters he faced to get out of the inning. He returned for the seventh, allowing a leadoff single to Aaron Judge and a double to Gio Urshela before eventually getting a ground out to third. He was replaced by Jeffery Springs who got the next two guys out but one of the outs was a sacrifice fly that scored Judge to give the Yankees a 1-0 advantage. The 29-year-old still owns a solid 2.55 ERA as that was the first run he's given up since April 21. He should still figure to be one of manager Kevin Cash's go-to guys in high-leverage situations despite the minor hiccup in Wednesday's loss.

MAY 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Continues thriving Wednesday Thompson recorded his fifth hold in a win over the Angels on Wednesday, allowing one hit over 1.2 scoreless innings. He struck out two and also hit a batter.

Impact Thompson worked in what amounted to a setup role behind Jeffrey Springs in the victory, garnering his second hold of the series in the process. The 28-year-old now has five straight scoreless appearances, a stretch during which he's secured his second win and three holds overall while lowering his ERA from 3.60 to 2.40.

MAY 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Gets third hold Thompson secured his third hold in a win over the Athletics on Tuesday, allowing a hit and recording a strikeout over a scoreless inning.

Impact Thompson got 11 of his 16 pitches into the strike zone during a mostly efficient seventh inning, with the 28-year-old recording his fifth scoreless effort in his last six trips to the mound. The right-hander has blown both of the save chances he's been afforded thus far, but he's otherwise rewarded fantasy managers with a pair of victories, a 2.92 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP in addition to his trio of holds.

APRIL 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE