Discover the incredible journey of Ryan Thompson, from being released to finding redemption in the Diamondbacks’ bullpen.
Less than two months ago, Ryan Thompson, a relief pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, found himself without a job. He had spent three years with the Tampa Bay Rays before being designated for assignment on August 16 and subsequently released the following day.
Fast forward to October, and he has been thrust into some of the most critical moments in baseball, performing exceptionally well. In three recent appearances, he has not allowed any runs and has given up just one hit in 4.0 innings.
Speaking about his performance, Thompson said, “I’m focused on executing and providing my team with an opportunity to make plays behind me.” This statement came after the Diamondbacks secured a 4-2 victory over the Dodgers in Los Angeles.
Thompson’s unexpected success story during the 2023 postseason is also a tale of determination and redemption. Before joining the Diamondbacks, the 31-year-old pitcher had played in just over 100 games in the major leagues with the Rays. He initially arrived in Tampa in 2018 as a Rule 5 selection from the Houston Astros.
In 2020, he made his MLB debut and played a key role in taking his team to the World Series, allowing only two earned runs in 9.1 postseason innings.
However, injuries and recurring shoulder issues in 2021 led to his decline. He underwent right thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in September 2021. Although he made a return to the Rays in 2022, he was frequently shuttled between the Triple-A Durham Bulls and the injured list.
Early in 2023, Thompson appeared to be regaining his 2020-2021 form, starting the season with a strong 2.35 ERA in 7.2 innings across eight appearances. However, May brought a setback, with Thompson surrendering nine earned runs in just eight games, resulting in an 11.05 ERA.
He was subsequently sent down to Durham once more, making only two more appearances for the Rays. That’s when the Arizona Diamondbacks offered him a lifeline.
Signing a minor league contract on August 19, Thompson spent a week with the Reno Aces. The rest, as they say, is now part of baseball history. Since his first appearance in an Arizona uniform on August 27 against the Cincinnati Reds, he has allowed just one run in 13 innings.
If Thompson and the Diamondbacks’ bullpen continue to perform as they have been, they will be a formidable challenge for any opposing team. Thompson expressed confidence in his team, stating, “I think we have a really strong momentum in the past month or so. We trust each other, and other teams will have to play their best baseball to compete with us.”