The Cubs are expected to call up Thompson from Triple-A Iowa to start Saturday's game against the Royals, Russell Dorsey of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though he has worked out of the bullpen in all but one of his 27 appearances with the Cubs this season, Thompson has been pitching exclusively as a starter since being optioned to Iowa in late July. He built up to 62 pitches in his most recent start for Iowa on Sunday, spinning 4.1 no-hit innings while striking out seven. Expect the Cubs to cap Thompson around 70-to-80 pitches in Saturday's start, assuming he does in fact get the call back to the big leagues. So long as Thompson doesn't completely implode in that outing, he could have a spot in the Chicago rotation for the rest of the season as the rebuilding club auditions the 26-year-old for a full-time starting role in 2022.