The Cubs signed veteran outfielder to a minor league contract yesterday afternoon. While the team never made a formal announcement, the Wa serman clients signing is reflected on the teams , and Thompson already suited up with the Cubs Triple-A affiliate in Des Moines last night, going 1-for-4 with a pair Sandy Alomar Jersey of runs scored. Thompson, 33, was earlier this month after spending 62 games with their Triple-A club in Syracuse. The former second-rounder hit .228/.300/.500 in 253 plate appearances during his stint with the Mets organization. Hell now return to the Cubs for a second stint; Thompson was also with the Cubs in 2021, ripping 21 homers in 88 games with Iowa and also appearing in 15 big league games as a Cub. Though hes never been a regular in the majors, Thompson has accrued more than four years of service time scattered acro s parts of seven MLB campaigns. In 369 games and 1058 plate appearances between the White Sox, Dodgers, As and Padres, Thompson carries a .212/.300/.411 batting line. Hes walked in a hefty 10.9% of his career plate appearances but also fanned at an untenable 32.7% rate. Hes long had impre sive raw power and earlier in his career also boasted plus speed, though Statcast measured him as average in that regard last season in 72 games split between the Dodgers and ChiSox. Thompson gives the Cubs some depth acro s all three slots in the outfield. His ability to play anywhere in the outfield took on extra importance just hours after signing with the Cubs, as exited last nights game against the Orioles after being plunked on the hand by a 97 mph heater from Baltimore lefty . Its not clear yet whether theres a fracture or enough swelling that Bellinger will require a stay on the 10-day injured list, but Bellinger noted following the game last night that he had to depart because he wasnt able to throw a ball. Even in the event of a Bellinger absence, the Cubs could go with outfield prospect to take his spot on the big league roster. Whatever the immediate future holds, Thompson gives the Cubs an experienced depth option whos posted a .237/.307/.465 batting line in parts of seven Triple-A seasons and who, with 16 long balls already in the books this year, looks well on his way to his fifth profe sional season with 20-plus homers. Ricky Vaughn Jersey