White Sox's Michael Kopech: Season ends due to knee surgery
Rotowire
Kopech was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday with right knee inflammation.
Kopech had surgery Friday to remove a cyst from the knee and is expected to require 6-8 weeks to recover. The procedure ends a disappointing 2023 campaign that saw Kopech post a 5.43 ERA while leading the American League with 91 walks. He finished the season in the White Sox' bullpen, although the team's plans for his future role aren't clear.
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White Sox's Michael Kopech: Opening Wednesday
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Kopech will serve as Chicago's opening pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Nationals, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Wednesday will mark the first time Kopech has started a game since moving to the bullpen Sept. 8. Since then, he's surrendered six runs across just 2.2 innings while striking out four batters and walking two. The 27-year-old righty is certainly capable of pitching deep into the game, but the plan will likely be to pull Kopech after an inning or two -- especially if he gets into trouble early.
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White Sox's Michael Kopech: Relegated to bullpen
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Kopech won't start as scheduled Saturday and will instead move into a multi-inning relief role, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
After putting up a 9.50 ERA and 2.33 WHIP through 18 frames across his last five starts, Kopech will officially lose his spot in the rotation. The team reportedly still views him as a starter for next season, but a few good appearances out of the bullpen to close out 2023 would help Kopech build his case. Jose Urena will be selected from Triple-A Charlotte to start in Kopech's place Saturday against the Tigers.
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White Sox's Michael Kopech: Struggles in shortened outing
Rotowire
Kopech did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two runs on one hit and five walks over 1.2 innings against the Tigers. He struck out two.
Despite only lasting 1.2 innings, Kopech threw 44 total pitches of which 16 ended up a strike as he walked five batters. Though he struggled with command, Kopech only allowed one hit on the day, which was a two-RBI double by Carson Kelly. Kopech is slated for a rematch with the Tigers for his next start this weekend.
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White Sox's Michael Kopech: Falls to Baltimore
Rotowire
Kopech (5-12) took the loss Monday, allowing four runs on seven hits and four walks over four innings against the Orioles. He struck out five.
It was another tough outing for Kopech, who's now gone four straight starts without making it through five frames. He's allowed 17 runs in that span (16.1 innings) while issuing 17 walks. Command continues to be an issue for Kopech, who's struggled to a career-worst 15-percent walk rate this season. Overall, his ERA is up to 5.08 with a 1.53 WHIP and 127:84 K:BB across 25 starts (124 innings) this season. Kopech will look to get back on track in his next outing, tentatively scheduled for this weekend against Detroit.
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White Sox's Michael Kopech: Good to go Monday
Rotowire
Kopech (leg) is listed as the White Sox's probable starting pitcher for Monday's game against the Orioles at Camden Yards.
Kopech's previous start last Wednesday against the Mariners was cut short after he experienced leg cramps, but the right-hander will slot back into the rotation on his normal four days' rest after completing his between-starts bullpen session without issue. He'll tentatively line up for a two-start week, with his second turn set to come this weekend versus the Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field.
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White Sox's Michael Kopech: Early exit due to leg cramps
Rotowire
Kopech is considered day-to-day after exiting prior to the fifth inning of Wednesday's game versus the Mariners due to leg cramps.
Kopech apparently began experiencing cramps as he tried to warm up before the top of the fifth. He scattered four walks and one hit over four scoreless innings while striking out five prior to his departure. The 27-year-old right-hander is currently lined up to take the mound again in Monday's series opener at Baltimore, though he could require a day or two of extra rest. Either way, he doesn't seem to be dealing with an overly serious concern.
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White Sox's Michael Kopech: Exits with apparent injury
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Kopech was removed from his start Wednesday against the Mariners due to an apparent injury, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
Kopech threw five warmup tosses before the top of the fifth inning and didn't look quite right. White Sox manager Pedro Grifol then visited the mound with a trainer and the 27-year-old right-hander was lifted following a brief chat. He appeared to be shaking out his arm as he made his way to the dugout. Kopech worked four scoreless innings versus Seattle prior to his departure, scattering four walks and one hit while striking out five.
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White Sox's Michael Kopech: Crushed for nine runs
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Kopech (5-11) yielded nine runs on six hits and four walks over four innings Friday, striking out one and taking a loss against the Rockies.
Kopech served up three homers in Friday's brutal outing. He also continues to struggle with his command; over his last 10 starts, Kopech has registered an unsightly 32:43 K:BB over 42.1 frames. His season ERA climbed to 5.12 through 23 starts. The 27-year-olf righty is currently projected to start at home against Seattle next week.
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White Sox's Michael Kopech: Struggles with command
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Kopech did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing four runs on five hits and five walks over 4.1 innings against the Brewers. He struck out four.
Kopech was consistently behind in the count, throwing first-pitch strikes to just eight of the 23 batters he faced. He still maintained a lead into the fifth but was pulled at 96 pitches after allowing three consecutive singles to close out his night. Kopech has been the pillar of inconsistency this year in his 21 starts, splitting evenly with seven games of four or more earned runs allowed, seven with no more than one earned run allowed and seven directly in-between. His next start is currently projected to take place next Friday in Colorado.
White Sox's Michael Kopech: Picks up fifth victory
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Kopech (5-10) earned the win over Cleveland on Saturday, allowing two runs on three hits and four walks while striking out three batters over 5.1 innings.
Kopech held the Guardians scoreless through five frames and was handed a 5-0 lead, but he allowed three straight one-out hits amid the chaos of a sixth-inning brawl between the teams and was unable to complete the frame. However, the right-hander nonetheless pitched well enough to emerge with his just his second win over his past 11 starts. Kopech didn't miss a ton of bats and again struggled to find the strike zone, and he's now walked at least three batters in all but one of his last eight outings. On a more positive note, he didn't allow any balls to leave the park Saturday, the first time he's held a team homerless over his past seven starts.
Kopech (4-10) was handed the loss Sunday against the Guardians after allowing three runs on four hits and five walks while striking out two in five innings.
Kopech had a troublesome second inning after he issued four walks to put the Guardians in front 1-0. He settled down in the second and third before allowing solo home runs to Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez in the fifth. It has been a rough handful of starts for Kopech since returning from the IL on July 14. In four starts since coming back, the 27-year-old owns a 6.30 ERA, 1.90 WHIP and 12:14 K:BB in 16.1 innings. Kopech is expected to take the bump against the Guardians once again next weekend and will look to come out with a better result.
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White Sox's Michael Kopech: Ugly showing against Cubs
Rotowire
Kopech (4-9) took the loss Tuesday, allowing five runs on nine hits and one walk over five innings against the Cubs. He struck out five.
Kopech tied his season high in runs given up Tuesday, serving up a pair of homers to Dansby Swanson and a solo shot to Christopher Morel in the first four innings of action. The outing marked his fifth straight start allowing a long ball, while his nine hits allowed also set a season high. However, if fantasy managers are looking for something positive to take away from Kopech's start, it'd be that he handed out only one walk after allowing a total of 24 walks over his last 18.2 innings. Through 97.1 innings this season, Kopech owns a 4.44 ERA, a 2.0 HR/9 and a 107:58 K:BB.
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White Sox's Michael Kopech: Picks up fourth win
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Kopech (4-8) earned the win Thursday, allowing one run on two hits and four walks over 5.2 innings against the Mets. He struck out five.
Kopech struggled with command again Thursday, issuing at least four walks for the fourth time in his last five starts. However, the 27-year-old was able to limit the damage, holding the Mets to just two hits en route to his first win since May 24. Kopech lowered his ERA to 4.29 with a 1.39 WHIP and 102:57 K:BB through 18 starts (92.1 innings) this season. He's currently lined up for a home matchup with the Cubs in his next outing.
