Triple-A Memphis placed Thompson on its 7-day injured list Monday with an unspecified injury.

EDGE Analysis

Since the Cardinals sent him back to Triple-A in late April, Thompson has filled a spot in the Memphis rotation, compiling a 4.17 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 54:35 K:BB in 45.1 innings. Though finding strike zone has been a consistent problem for Thompson throughout his professional career, an injury could be at the root of why he was more wild than usual in his most recent Triple-A start Friday, when he walked six batters over three innings. Thompson is without a clear timeline for a return from the IL.

Thompson is scheduled to start for Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democratreports.

EDGE Analysis

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol named the left-hander as a candidate to start Saturday against the Cubs, but it appears he'll remain in the minor-league rotation. Thompson could still be an option for St. Louis if Wednesday's outing is a brief one, but the organization seems more likely to go in another direction at this point.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that Thompson is a candidate to start Saturday versus the Cubs, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

It sounds like the decision will come down to either Thompson or Andre Pallante, although the team doesn't appear close to making that call. Thompson was sent down last month after posting a 9.53 ERA over five appearances (two starts). He's managed to put up a 1.84 ERA in 14.2 frames with Triple-A Memphis, although that's come with a 14:13 K:BB.

The Cardinals optioned Thompson to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thompson broke camp with the Cardinals in a starting role, but he was moved to the bullpen upon Sonny Gray's return from the injured list earlier this month after giving up eight earned runs over 10.1 innings between his first two turns through the rotation. The left-hander didn't adapt well to the shift to a relief role, as he produced a 13.50 ERA, 2.25 WHIP and 11:2 K:BB in 6.2 innings across his three appearances out of the bullpen before St. Louis opted to send him to the minors. Thompson will likely slot into the rotation as he heads to Memphis.

Thompson is expected to lose his rotation spot and move to the bullpen with Sonny Gray (hamstring) on track to return from the 15-day injured list to start Tuesday's game against the Phillies, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rather than sending Gray out for a minor-league rehab assignment after he tossed 54 pitches in a three-inning simulated game Wednesday, the Cardinals saw enough from the veteran right-hander to feel comfortable having him return from the IL for his next outing. According to Jones, Thompson won't be available out of the bullpen Sunday against the Marlins or in Monday's series opener with the Phillies just in case Gray suffers a setback leading up to Tuesday's game, but Thompson looks like he'll be headed for a relief role before long. Since he isn't yet fully ramped up, Gray is expected to be limited to 65 pitches Tuesday, so Thompson could even be called upon to pitch an inning or two once the former exits his start. After faring respectably upon joining the St. Louis rotation over the final two months of the 2023 campaign, Thompson has struggled to carry any momentum into 2024. Over his first two starts, Thompson has given up eight earned runs on 11 hits and six walks while striking out nine over 10.1 innings.

Thompson (0-2) took the loss Wednesday against the Cardinals, surrendering three runs on five hits and four walks across five innings. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

Thompson was consistently in trouble Wednesday, allowing a runner to reach or cross second base in each of the first four innings, including a solo home run by Kyle Higashioka in the fourth. He was also picked on by baserunners, giving up three stolen bases on the day. With Sonny Gray (hamstring) on the brink of beginning a rehab stint with Triple-A Memphis, it appears Thompson will only get one or two more go-arounds in the rotation. He's tentatively scheduled for another tough draw against the Phillies on Tuesday after opening up the campaign facing the Dodgers and Padres.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol announced Friday that Thompson will be a member of the club's season-opening rotation, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Veteran Sonny Gray (hamstring) will begin the season on the injured list, opening the door for Thompson to earn a rotation spot. Thompson pitched well during spring training with a 2.81 ERA across 16 innings, and he'll likely only have a few starts to stake his claim to the rotation spot since Gray isn't expected to have a lengthy absence.

Thompson allowed two runs on three hits and struck out three without walking a batter in Saturday's Grapefruit league start versus the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

Thompson and Matthew Liberatore are in the Cardinals' biggest battle for the last starting spot in the rotation. Thompson pitched for 2.2 innings Saturday before giving up back-to-back doubles. With Steven Matz coming along slowly after an injury-plagued 2023, there could be room for both Thompson and Liberatore in the Cardinals' projected early-season six-man rotation, but both of them have shown some inconsistency early in the spring.

Thompson pitched 5.1 innings against Milwaukee on Wednesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk while striking out five batters over 5.1 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Thompson carried a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth frame but couldn't make the advantage stand up. He gave up consecutive doubles to begin the inning, resulting in the Brewers' first run, then saw the game-tying run cross the plate on a one-out fielder's choice. That tally was unearned due to a previous throwing error behind him, but it was nonetheless enough to move Thompson out of position for a win. This was presumably Thompson's final appearance of the campaign, and he finishes with a 4.34 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 72:25 K:BB over 66.1 frames, with nine of his 25 appearances coming as a starter.

Thompson will start Wednesday's game at Milwaukee, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thompson had been lined up to work Tuesday's series opener versus the Brewers, but Miles Mikolas will now get that nod so that he can also potentially handle Sunday's season finale against the Reds back at Busch Stadium. Thompson, 25, has registered an overall 4.57 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 67:24 K:BB in 61 innings (eight starts, 16 relief appearances) this year with St. Louis.