ZACK THOMPSON NEWS

Sent to Triple-A Thompson was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Monday.

Impact Thompson will return to Memphis after being called up July 5, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three batters over 4.1 innings in three appearances with the Cardinals while in the big leagues. The transaction opened a roster spot for Adam Wainwright (shoulder) on the major-league roster after Wainwright was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Monday.

JULY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Handed third loss Thompson (2-3) allowed three runs on two hits and two walks while recording one strikeout in one-third of an inning to take the loss Saturday versus the Cubs.

Impact Thompson struggled and was pulled after allowing a two-run single to Cody Bellinger. Drew VerHagen then allowed an inherited runner to score the game's last run. Thompson has a win and a loss over his two appearances since rejoining the Cardinals' major-league roster. The southpaw has a shaky 5.79 ERA, 2.00 WHIP and 19:11 K:BB through 14 major-league innings as a low-leverage option.

JULY 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Collects win Wednesday Thompson (2-2) allowed three hits over two scoreless innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Marlins. He did not strikeout or walk a batter.

Impact Thompson has been on the big-league roster since July 5, but he hadn't appeared in a game since his June 29 outing for Triple-A Memphis. Despite the long layoff, the southpaw delivered solid relief work in Wednesday's bullpen game. He's at a 3.95 ERA with a 1.76 WHIP and 18:9 K:BB over 13.2 major-league innings this season. Thompson and JoJo Romero are the two southpaws in the Cardinals' bullpen currently, but Thompson is likely to remain in an extremely low-leverage role.

JULY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back in big leagues Thompson was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday.

Impact Thompson was sent to Memphis in early May to stretch back out to start and the results weren't pretty, with the lefty posting a 9.09 ERA and 38:39 K:BB over 32.2 innings. It's not clear at this point whether the Cardinals plan to give him some starts with the big club or put him back in the bullpen where he's had success.

JULY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Triple-A Thompson was optioned Tuesday to Triple-A Memphis, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Impact Guillermo Zuniga will fill the vacancy in the Cardinals' bullpen ahead of Tuesday night's series opener against the Angels. Thompson had been lit up for five earned runs on four hits and five walks over his last three appearances covering just 2.1 innings.

MAY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Handed second loss Thompson (1-2) allowed two runs on a hit and two walks with one strikeout over two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Sunday versus the Dodgers.

Impact Thompson got out of a mess made by starter Jake Woodford in the fourth inning, only to create trouble on his own in the fifth. Thompson allowed the first three batters to reach in the fifth, and Drew VerHagen allowed two of them to score, which put the Dodgers ahead for good. This is the third outing in a row in which Thompson's allowed multiple runs, a discouraging turn of events after he limited the damage to one unearned run in his first eight appearances. The southpaw owns a 4.63 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 18:9 K:BB with a hold in 11.2 innings over 11 appearances.

MAY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes loss versus Seattle Thompson (1-1) allowed two runs on a hit and a walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Saturday versus the Mariners.

Impact Thompson replaced Miles Mikolas with one out in the sixth inning and finished the frame. In the seventh, Thompson put two batters aboard, and Giovanny Gallegos let them both come around to score. These were the first earned runs on Thompson's line through nine appearances this season. The southpaw owns a 1.80 ERA through 10 innings, but his 1.40 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB aren't all that encouraging. He'll likely continue to serve as a middle-relief option.

APRIL 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Collects win Friday Thompson (1-0) allowed a hit and a walk while striking out four over 1.2 innings to earn the win Friday over the Pirates.

Impact Starter Jake Woodford pitched 5.1 scoreless innings but received no run support. Thompson was able to get some help as the Cardinals got on the board in the sixth inning and maintained the lead to earn him the win in his sixth appearances this season. The southpaw has done well as a multi-inning option, giving up one unearned run on six hits and four walks while striking out 11 over seven innings this season. He also has a hold. Thompson is the Cardinals' most effective lefty in the bullpen, so he could work his way into some high-leverage spots.

APRIL 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Impressing in relief role Thompson has pitched six scoreless innings through six Grapefruit League appearances.

Impact He's struck out six while allowing four hits and two walks. Thompson's strong pitching is solidifying his place in the Cardinals' bullpen, though his history as a starter in the minors makes it possible he ends up as a long-relief option. At this point, there's a wide range of outcomes for Thompson, who could ultimately end up as the Cardinals' top left-handed reliever, which could earn him some high-leverage looks in manager Oliver Marmol's matchup-based approach when protecting a lead.

MARCH 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

With strong work ethic, Thompson eyes top 'pen spot WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Cardinals left-hander Zack Thompson has proved to be a reliever opponents must pay attention to, and his success fr...

MARCH 14, 2023 • MLB.COM

MLB 26-and-under power rankings: No. 10 St. Louis Cardinals

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MARCH 14, 2023

Spending spring in bullpen Thompson will work exclusively as a reliever this spring, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Impact Thompson's MLB debut was a four-inning relief appearance last June, and he followed that up with a five-inning start, but he filled a much more conventional relief role the rest of the way. He finished with an impressive 2.08 ERA, but that came with a sub-par 19.9 percent strikeout rate and 10.3 percent walk rate. Now 25 years old, the lefty could still spend time starting for Triple-A Memphis, but it looks as though he'll be relieving in St. Louis if all goes well.

FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Yields run in relief outing Thompson allowed a run on one hit and struck out three over 2.1 innings during Sunday's 7-5 loss to the Pirates.

Impact Thompson has been effective in a middle-relief role since he was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Aug. 27. In nine appearances since that date, he's allowed two runs, six hits and six walks while striking out 11 over 12 innings. The southpaw has been an effective part of the Cardinals' bullpen throughout the year with a 2.12 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 27:13 K:BB in 34 innings across 21 appearances (one start). His ability to handle multi-inning assignments should give him a path to the postseason roster.

OCTOBER 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to Memphis Thompson was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

Impact Thompson was called up by the Cardinals in mid-July and tossed two scoreless innings over two relief appearances with the major-league club. He should see more consistent work in the minors, while his demotion makes room for Jordan Montgomery on the active roster.

AUGUST 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Rejoins big club Thompson was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

Impact The left-hander was optioned to Triple-A on Monday but will return to St. Louis with Dakota Hudson (neck) landing on the injured list. Thompson has been effective when up in the majors with a 2.70 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB across 20 innings.

JULY 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Headed for Memphis The Cardinals optioned Thompson to Triple-A Memphis on Monday.

Impact Thompson had started to hit his stride in a relief role for the Cardinals, as he struck out nine and turned in a 0.64 WHIP while tossing 11 scoreless innings across his last eight appearances. The demotion to the minors thus shouldn't be viewed as performance-related, with manager Oliver Marmol telling Katie Woo of The Athletic that the assignment to Memphis will allow Thompson to get stretched back out as a starter or as a multi-inning reliever, depending on the Cardinals' needs coming out of the All-Star break.

JULY 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Takes extra-inning loss Sunday Thompson (1-1) took the extra-inning loss Sunday versus the Cubs. He allowed an unearned run on three hits and struck out two over 1.2 innings without walking a batter.

Impact Thompson was responsible for an RBI single from Willson Contreras, and the Cardinals couldn't get even in the bottom of the 10th inning. With Genesis Cabrera on the COVID-19 injured list, Thompson is expected to fill a multi-inning role in critical spots in games in the short term. He has a 3.31 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB in six appearances (one start) spanning 16.1 innings this year. Jack Flaherty (shoulder) made an early exit Sunday, and if he's forced to miss time again, Thompson would be among the shortlist of options to join the rotation.

JUNE 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Cardinals find middle relief help in series split with Brewers Johan Oviedo and Zack Thompson nailed their auditions against Milwaukee, securing themselves a role for now in St. Louis' bullpen.

JUNE 24, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Earns first big-league win Thompson (1-0) walked one and struck out two without allowing a hit in 1.2 scoreless innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Brewers.

Impact Jack Flaherty completed only three innings in his second start of the year, with Thompson serving as a de facto piggyback reliever. In 8.2 innings of relief across three outings this season, Thompson has allowed one run, three hits and two walks with nine strikeouts. His lone bad appearance was his only start, but with the Cardinals' rotation essentially healthy, the southpaw is likely to work out the bullpen for the foreseeable future. Thompson owns a 3.95 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 11:4 K:BB across 13.2 innings overall.

JUNE 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Moving to bullpen Thompson is expected to work out of the bullpen for now, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Impact Thompson has made one start and two relief appearances thus far in his career. He was knocked around for five runs in five innings by the Pirates in his lone start but allowed just one run in a combined seven innings as a reliever. His next relief outings may be shorter, however, as the Cardinals appear set to match him up against other teams' toughest lefties rather than use him in a multi-inning role.

JUNE 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Coughs up five runs Thompson allowed five runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings in Monday's win over Pittsburgh. He struck out two and did not factor in the decision.

Impact Thompson had given up just one run through four frames before a brutal fifth inning. He yielded four runs in the frame, including a three-run homer by Michael Chavis. Fortunately for Thompson, he avoided taking the loss in his first career start when his team mounted a comeback after he left the game. The 24-year-old southpaw now ows a 6.00 ERA through nine MLB innings.

JUNE 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

First career start coming Monday Thompson will make his first career start Monday against the Pirates, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Impact Thompson made his big-league debut Friday against the Cubs, allowing one run across four innings of relief work. The extent to which Monday's opportunity is an audition for a permanent rotation role isn't entirely clear, as the Cardinals needed an extra starter ahead of Tuesday's doubleheader and will be getting Jack Flaherty back from his shoulder injury fairly soon. That said, the 2019 first-round pick comes with a fair amount of prospect pedigree and struck out 30.1 percent of the batters he faced across 10 starts for Triple-A Memphis this season, so it's very possible he makes his case to remain in the rotation.

JUNE 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Excels in MLB debut Thompson gave up one run on three hits and one walk while striking out three over four innings Friday against the Cubs. He earned the save in his big-league debut.

Impact He was the eighth player since at least 1901 to pitch four or more innings and record a save in his MLB debut and the first in 45 years. Thompson is a starter by trade, and he gave the Cardinals some length out of the bullpen in the first game of a four-game weekend series. Given his success in this debut and at Triple-A this season (3.66 xFIP, 1.15 WHIP, 22.0 K-BB%), he could be an option to slot into the rotation at some point this summer.

JUNE 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Contract selected Friday Thompson's contract was selected from Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

Impact Thompson is one of the Cardinals' top prospects, and the team has spent the last two years developing him as a starter in Memphis. He's made 10 minor-league starts this year and has posted a 4.67 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 44.1 innings. The southpaw hasn't yet made his major-league debut but will join the active roster for the first time in his career. The Cardinals have a doubleheader against the Cubs on Saturday, but it's not yet clear whether Thompson will make his big-league debut as a starter or out of the bullpen.

JUNE 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE