MICHAEL KOPECH NEWS

For MLB teams chasing October glory, building a bullpen is a vital — and confounding — exercise

For a World Series that was supposed to feature an epic battle between sluggers Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, guys like Mark Leiter Jr., Luke Weaver, Alex Vesia and Anthony Banda...

NOVEMBER 6 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

White Sox decline $25 million option on Yoán Moncada, $7.5 million option on Max Stassi

The White Sox declined a $25 million option on third baseman Yoán Moncada after he missed almost the entire season because of a left adductor strain

NOVEMBER 1 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dodgers' Freddie Freeman out for Game 6, Michael Kopech to open bullpen game

The Dodgers will try to close out the Mets in Game 6 of the NLCS on Sunday by sending a series of relievers to the mound, starting with Mich...

OCTOBER 20

Named starter for Game 6 Kopech will serve as the Dodgers' opener for Game 6 of the NLCS against the Mets on Sunday, Noah Camras of DodgersNation.com reports.

Impact Ryan Brasier served as the opener for Game 2 of the NLCS, but Kopech will get the start for Game 6 as the Dodgers turn to the bullpen for Sunday's game. Kopech's lone appearance in the NLCS was Game 3, during which he struck out one batter over one scoreless inning. He's appeared in five postseason games this year, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out six batters across 4.1 scoreless innings. Brasier and Landon Knack are the top candidates to come in after Kopech is done for the day.

OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Secures 15th save Kopech picked up the save over the Padres on Wednesday, allowing one walk over a scoreless ninth inning while striking out one.

Impact Kopech relieved Blake Treinen to open the ninth and retired the first two batters on five pitches before surrendering a walk to Jake Cronenworth. The right-hander was then able to strike out Donovan Solano for the final out to lock down his 15th save of the campaign and his third in the month of September. Kopech has now allowed at least one baserunner in five-consecutive appearances and at least one free pass in four of his last five. However, he's also converted each of his last seven save opportunities, with his last blown save coming back on July 7 against the Marlins.

SEPTEMBER 26 • ROTOWIRE

Dodgers edge second-place Padres 4-3, can clinch NL West with win in series finale

Shohei Ohtani singled in the go-ahead run before stealing his 56th base of the season in the sixth inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers edged the second-place San Diego Padres 4-3 to...

SEPTEMBER 26 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Grabs 14th save Kopech allowed one run on one hit and struck out one over one inning to earn the save in Friday's 6-4 win over the Rockies.

Impact Kopech allowed a solo home run to Michael Toglia in the ninth inning, the first long ball he's given up since July 7. The Rockies didn't build off of it, allowing Kopech to secure his fifth save as a Dodger, all of which he's earned since Aug. 16. The right-hander is now at a 3.62 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 84:33 K:BB over 64.2 innings with 14 saves between the Dodgers and the White Sox, but he's been dominant with a 1.29 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 25:9 K:BB across 21 innings since he was dealt to Los Angeles.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up win Kopech (6-8) got the win over Atlanta on Sunday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out two in a scoreless inning.

Impact Kopech pitched the bottom of the eighth with the game tied 2-2 and kept things tied despite allowing two baserunners. The Dodgers would then go on to score six runs in the top of the ninth to put Kopech in line for the win. The 28-year-old righty has pitched scoreless outings in seven of his last eight appearances but has also allowed at least one baserunner in five of those. For the year, Kopech sports a 3.59 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 83:32 K:BB in 62.2 innings.

SEPTEMBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Walks three in 13th save Kopech picked up the save over the Cubs on Wednesday, allowing one run on three walks over one inning while striking out one.

Impact Kopech entered the contest with a three-run lead in the ninth and proceeded to walk three consecutive batters before then allowing a sacrifice fly to Isaac Paredes. Fortunately for the right-hander reliever, Seiya Suzuki would get thrown out trying to steal third before Kopech was then able to retire the final batter by way of strikeout. It marked the first time that Kopech has walked multiple batters in an appearance since July 7 against the Marlins after previously not allowing a free pass through his first three appearances in September. He's now converted each of his last four save opportunities, while Wednesday marked his 13th save overall on the campaign.

SEPTEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Cardinals designate OF Tommy Pham for assignment, recall Jordan Walker

The St. Louis Cardinals have designated Tommy Pham for assignment

AUGUST 30 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fans two for 12th save Kopech picked up the save over the Orioles on Thursday, striking out two over a perfect ninth inning.

Impact Kopech entered the contest with a 6-4 lead in the top of the ninth and retired the first two batters on strikes before getting Adley Rutschman to pop out to second for the final out of the game. The save was the right-hander's 12th of the season and the third in his last six appearances. Kopech has only allowed one run in 12.1 innings (12 appearances) this month, posting a 0.76 ERA in August to go along with a 16:3 K:BB. He's also recorded two strikeouts in back-to-back appearances and in three of his last four overall.

AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE

Out a few days but fine physically Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Kopech is "gassed" and will be held out from pitching for a few days, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Impact During Kopech's successful save against St. Louis on Sunday, he averaged 96.7 on his 10 fastballs, two ticks below his season average of 98.7 mph. Roberts acknowledged after the contest that he has deployed the righty reliever more often than the White Sox did prior to the deal between the teams at the trade deadline and suggested that Kopech isn't physically injured but will be held out a few games for rest purposes. Kopech pitched three times in four days from Thursday to Sunday, though he was relatively efficient with a total of 40 pitches during that span. If he is indeed uninjured, Kopech will likely be back to working in high leverage for the Dodgers before the end of the week and should continue to see frequent chances in a closing role. He's notched a save in each of his past two appearances and has posted 9.1 scoreless innings with a 13:1 K:BB and just one hit allowed over nine appearances since joining Los Angeles.

AUGUST 19 • ROTOWIRE

Secures save Sunday Kopech threw a scoreless inning to earn a save against the Cardinals on Sunday.

Impact Kopech threw seven of 12 pitches for strikes and finished the game on a double play ball after a runner reached base on an error. He's now turned in 9.1 consecutive scoreless innings to begin his Dodgers career and earned two saves during the weekend series against St. Louis. With Daniel Hudson (8.59 ERA over his last eight appearances) and Evan Phillips (no saves since July 23) seemingly falling out of favor, the Dodgers may use Kopech in the ninth inning more often. Kopech owns a 3.91 ERA with a 72:25 K:BB through 53 innings this season.

AUGUST 19 • ROTOWIRE

Gets first save with new team Kopech struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 7-6 win over the Cardinals.

Impact Kopech continues to excel with the Dodgers -- he's yet to give up a run over 8.1 innings with the team while posting a 13:1 K:BB in that span. Evan Phillips and Joe Kelly served as the bridge over the seventh and eighth innings before Kopech got the save opportunity, while Daniel Hudson didn't pitch after his blow-up versus the Brewers on Thursday. For the season, Kopech has 10 saves and five holds while pitching to a 3.98 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 72:25 K:BB through 52 innings between the Dodgers and the White Sox. The Dodgers' bullpen depth means it's unlikely Kopech is ever the clear-cut closer, but he should continue to get plenty of high-leverage chances.

AUGUST 17 • ROTOWIRE

Betts and Kiermaier homer as Dodgers rally to beat skidding Cardinals 7-6

Mookie Betts and Kevin Kiermaier homered in a five-run sixth inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers came back to beat the skidding St. Louis Cardinals 7-6

AUGUST 17 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Thriving with Los Angeles Kopech earned a hold against the Brewers on Monday, walking one batter and striking out two in a scoreless inning.

Impact Kopech handled the eighth frame and worked around a two-out walk to keep Milwaukee off the scoreboard. He earned his fourth hold in six appearances since joining the Dodgers on July 29. Kopech has yet to allow a run over 6.1 innings with his new team, and he's surrendered just one hit while posting a 10:1 K:BB. The righty reliever has quickly become Los Angeles' top set-up man, but it's unclear if he'll get any save opportunities after working as the White Sox's closer for most of the season prior to being dealt.

AUGUST 13 • ROTOWIRE

White Sox Bullpen Pours One Out For Traded Teammate Michael Kopech In Emotional Goodbye The Chicago White Sox faced a particularly disheartening Monday as they witnessed Michael Kopech's departure in a trade ahead of the July 30...

JULY 30 • OUTKICK.COM

Cardinals acquire RHP Erick Fedde and OF Tommy Pham as part of a 3-team trade

The St. Louis Cardinals have acquired right-hander Erick Fedde and outfielder Tommy Pham as part of a three-team trade that also moved hard-throwing reliever Michael Kopech to the...

JULY 29 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Reports: Dodgers Land Tommy Edman, Michael Kopech in Three-Team Trade Los Angeles completed a significant trade with the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox on Monday.

JULY 29 • THENEWSTRIBUNE.COM

Traded to Dodgers The Dodgers acquired Kopech from the White Sox on Monday in the three-team trade involving the Cardinals, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Impact Kopech has offered a mixed bag in a full-time move back to relief in 2024, striking out 59 across 43.2 innings but also walking 24 and posting a 4.74 ERA. The Dodgers will hope to fix his control and home run issues, and if they can, he has the potential to be a dominant late-inning weapon. Kopech is also under team control for 2025. John Brebbia should be the favorite for saves in the White Sox' bullpen for now, although he could also be traded.

JULY 29 • ROTOWIRE

With Deadline nearing, Kopech reflects on highs, lows of Sox tenure CHiCAGO -- There was no immaculate inning for White Sox closer Michael Kopech working the last frame of a 9-4 Pirates victory over Chicago o...

JULY 14 • MLB.COM

White Sox finally beat AL-Central rival Twins, but end up splitting doubleheader

Brooks Lee and Carlos Correa hit consecutive homers and Ryan Jeffers added the go-ahead RBI as the Minnesota Twins split a doubleheader with Wednesday afternoon’s 3-2 victory over...

JULY 10 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Immaculate inning for ninth save Kopech earned the save in the opening game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Twins, striking out the side in a perfect ninth inning.

Impact Kopech struck out Brooks Lee, Matt Walner and Max Kepler on nine pitches, recording an immaculate inning while securing his ninth save this season. The 28-year-old Kopech has turned in consecutive scoreless appearances after giving up six runs in his previous 2.2 innings. While he can be dominant, as illustrated Wednesday, Kopech's struggled to find consistency in the ninth inning for the White Sox this year. Overall, his ERA sits at 5.18 with a 1.43 WHIP and 55:23 K:BB across 40 innings.

JULY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Crumbles in ninth Kopech (2-8) allowed four runs on two hits and two walks against Miami on Sunday. He was charged with a blown save and a loss.

Impact Kopech entered the ninth inning with a 4-3 lead but quickly gave it up on a Josh Bell RBI double. Two batters later, Jake Burger would crush a walk-off three-run homer. Kopech hadn't blown a save chance since June 13 but is now just 8 for 13 in opportunities this season. His ERA jumped to 5.45 with a 51:23 K:BB through 38 innings. John Brebbia could begin to push for more ninth-inning work; he threw a scoreless eighth inning Sunday and has given up just two runs over 16.1 frames since the start of June.

JULY 8 • ROTOWIRE

'I've got work to do': Kopech falters, gives up 4 runs in 9th MIAMI -- White Sox manager Pedro Grifol succinctly stated what his entire team and fan base felt following a 7-4 walk-off loss to the Marlin...

JULY 8 • MLB.COM