The Cubs are making a bullpen swap, sending José Cuas down to the minors and recalling Keegan Thompson to take his place on the roster.

Cuas has gotten off to a tough start in 2024, allowing 10 hits and 8 runs in 6 innings. He has also hit 3 batters and walked 2, totaling a 12.00 ERA and 2.00 WHIP.

He was a big part of the Cubs’ late-season bullpen last year after coming over from the Royals ahead of the trade deadline.

In 27 games in Chicago in 2023, Cuas had a 3.04 ERA and 1.31 WHIP as his sidearm delivery provided a unique look out of the Cubs bullpen.

Thompson was optioned to the minors in Spring Training but remained on the 40-man roster. He allowed 3 runs in his first Triple-A appearance of the season but over his last 3 outings, he has racked up 6 strikeouts in 5 shutout innings.

Thompson was a big part of the Cubs pitching staff in 2021-22, working as a starter and a multi-inning reliever. In 61 games (23 starts) over those 2 seasons, he had a 3.64 ERA and 1.34 WHIP.

But last season was a struggle as he walked 19 batters in 28.2 innings with a 4.71 ERA. He also dealt with a back injury and spent much of the season in the minors, where his control problems persisted (23 walks in 30 innings and an 8.10 ERA).

When the 29-year-old right-hander is on, Thompson is a weapon out of the bullpen.

The Cubs are in the midst of a 10-day, 9-game West Coast trip that includes stops in Seattle this weekend and then Arizona next week.