MICHAEL KOPECH NEWS

Tigers play the White Sox in series rubber match

The Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox meet on Sunday with the three-game series tied 1-1

APRIL 10, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cease, unbeaten vs Tigers, leads White Sox to 5-2 win

Dylan Cease remained unbeaten in 10 career starts against Detroit and Yasmani Grandal hit a two-run homer that led the Chicago White Sox over the Tigers 5-2

APRIL 9, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Michael Kopech struggles in White Sox' spring finale Kopech’s fastball velocity was sitting at 95, a tick or two below normal, but he feels fine, he said.

APRIL 5, 2022 • SUNTIMES.COM

James Fegan: Michael Kopech sat around 95 mph and walked... - The Athletic Michael Kopech sat around 95 mph and walked four in a three-inning spring outing that he was not happy with. Kopech said the plan was to thr...

APRIL 5, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Getting start in first series Kopech is scheduled to start the White Sox's third game of the season Sunday in Detroit, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Impact An illness suffered during the offseason set Kopech back in his buildup program and initially looked like something that could derail his bid for the Opening Day rotation, but the right-hander has since erased any concerns about his availability by tossing two innings in his Cactus League debut Thursday. Before taking the hill for his regular-season debut this weekend, Kopech will make one final spring tuneup outing Tuesday against the Padres. He's scheduled to cover three frames in that start, so expect Kopech to be limited to around four or five innings Sunday. The White Sox could consider deploying Kopech as part of a tandem this weekend with either Vince Velasquez or Reynaldo Lopez.

APRIL 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Feels good after spring debut Kopech threw two innings while allowing one earned run in Thursday's Cactus League matchup against the Reds, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Impact Kopech was behind in his preparation for the regular season due to an illness that he suffered from over the winter. However, he was strong in his spring debut, as he was hitting between 95 and 98 mph with his fastball and also consistently threw his curveball for strikes. "The plan today was no more than what I did," Kopech said after the outing. "But I said when I came out [of the game] that I felt like I was good to go for another [inning]." It remains to be seen whether the right-hander will be ready to start the season in the rotation, though this is a positive step in that direction.

APRIL 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Michael Kopech throws two innings in first start; Grandal, Sheets homer for White Sox Michael Kopech allowed a leadoff homer but did not allow another hit vs. the Reds. He struck out two.

APRIL 1, 2022 • SUNTIMES.COM

James Fegan: Michael Kopech is scheduled to make his Cactus... - The Athletic Michael Kopech is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut on Thursday night, and expected to pitch two innings. Tony La Russa suggested Ko...

MARCH 30, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Set for spring debut Friday Kopech (not injury related) is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut Friday against the Reds, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Impact The White Sox plan to have Kopech work two innings before giving way to Vince Velasquez, who is expected to cover two frames of his own. Kopech, Velasquez and Reynaldo Lopez are among the candidates for the No. 5 spot in the White Sox rotation, but Kopech is the presumptive frontrunner for the job if he's able to get fully stretched out for starting duty before camp closes. Kopech was delayed from making his spring debut after he battled an illness over the winter, which affected his preparation before he reported to camp. The right-hander has seemingly steered clear of any setbacks since then, but even if he dazzles in Friday's outing and another potential exhibition appearance next week, he could face a workload restriction to begin the regular season. Additionally, the White Sox won't require a fifth starter until April 16 against the Rays, so it's possible that Kopech gets stretched out in the bullpen during the first week of the season before slotting into the rotation.

MARCH 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Chicago White Sox look for more after early playoff exits

The Chicago White Sox ran away with the AL Central title last year and made the playoffs for the second year in a row, a first for the franchise

MARCH 30, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fantasy baseball mailbag: Banking on Byron Buxton, breakout expectations for Michael Kopech and more Michael Waterloo answers questions from his fantasy baseball mailbag regarding breakout pitching candidates, Top 10 surprises and more.

MARCH 25, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Throwing bullpen session Kopech (not injury related) is throwing a bullpen session Wednesday and is scheduled for two innings of live batting practice Friday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times re...

Impact Kopech is behind schedule in spring training due to an illness that affected his buildup program over the winter, but he's progressing toward game action. The 25-year-old primarily pitched out of the bullpen last season in his first MLB action since 2018 and had a 3.50 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 103:24 K:BB over 69.1 innings. The White Sox figure to be cautious again this season given his lack of innings over the past couple years, but he's expected to work as a starter, or at least a primary pitcher in 2021. Whenever he's ready to go, Kopech figures to be on a rigid pitch count for his initial appearances.

MARCH 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Michael Kopech is excited about a 'dream job' of returning to the Chicago White Sox rotation Michael Kopech is eyeing a return to the Chicago White Sox rotation: “Take the ball every fifth day and get as many starts as I can.”

MARCH 19, 2022 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

White Sox pitchers Craig Kimbrel, Michael Kopech ready to get back to being themselves Craig Kimbrel is getting more used to his non-closer role with the White Sox, while Michael Kopech is ready to finally start.

MARCH 18, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

White Sox' Michael Kopech ready to do his 'dream job' Slowed by a bout with COVID in February, pitcher Michael Kopech says he’ll be ready to start season as starter

MARCH 17, 2022 • SUNTIMES.COM

James Fegan: Michael Kopech said he had COVID in the last... - The Athletic Michael Kopech said he had COVID in the last week of February, but feels he’ll be ready for Opening Day and to pitch every five days once th...

MARCH 17, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

White Sox starters seeking more endurance, longer season

The Chicago White Sox have a strong starting rotation

MARCH 15, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Building up after winter illness General manager Rick Hahn said Monday that Kopech is behind the White Sox's other starting candidates to begin big-league spring training after an illness earlier in the winter slo...

Impact Because Kopech missed the entirety of the 2019 and 2020 seasons and tossed only 69.1 regular-season innings in 2021 while working primarily out of the bullpen, the White Sox were already planning to take a cautious approach with his workload heading into 2022. The time Kopech missed during the offseason while battling the illness looks as though it'll prompt even more caution, but Hahn indicated that the White Sox are still expecting the 25-year-old to be ready to go for Opening Day. If he is in fact able to nail down the No. 5 spot in Chicago's rotation, Kopech will almost certainly be on strict pitch counts in his initial outings, and perhaps even serve as more of a tandem starter with another pitcher. While that would be less than ideal for his chances of factoring into decisions, Kopech should remain a strong source of strikeouts and ratios on whatever innings he provides.

MARCH 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

James Fegan: Tony La Russa said Michael Kopech has yet to... - The Athletic Tony La Russa said Michael Kopech has yet to throw live batting practice, in contrast to Lance Lynn and Dallas Keuchel, who both threw two s...

MARCH 12, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

White Sox GM Hahn eyes title after back-to-back playoffs

Chicago White Sox general manager Rick Hahn has his sights set on the biggest prize of all

MARCH 11, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Will prepare for rotation spot White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said earlier this month that Kopech will compete for a spot in the rotation in spring training, Vinnie Duber of NBC Sports Chicago reports. "Obv...

Impact Like Kopech, Crochet is another prospect who came through the farm system as a starter, but he worked out of the bullpen in 2021 as the organization aimed to manage his innings. While the White Sox have yet to decide whether Crochet will audition for a starting role in 2022 or continue to work in a high-leverage role out of the bullpen, Kopech will at least get the chance to stake his claim to a starting role. Given that Kopech in three years older than Crochet and had an encouraging 2021 campaign as a multi-inning reliever after having not pitched in either of the previous two seasons, the White Sox likely won't be as restrictive with the 25-year-old righty's development moving forward. Kopech built up to 69.1 innings across 44 appearances -- including four spot starts -- last season, finishing with a 3.50 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and a 103:24 K:BB. Reynaldo Lopez looks like Kopech's top challenger for a back-end rotation spot, though it's possible Crochet or an offseason pickup could also make a claim for a starting role.

NOVEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

What are the next steps for Michael Kopech and Garrett Crochet? Rick Hahn lays out potential plans for the young Chicago White Sox pitchers. After Michael Kopech was used mostly as a reliever during his first full season in 2021, the Chicago White Sox anticipate the right-hander t...

NOVEMBER 11, 2021 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Role undecided heading into 2022 Kopech could be moved into the starting rotation next season, Vinnie Duber of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Impact Duber adds that Craig Kimbrel might not return in 2022, so Kopech could also serve as the team's top setup option in front of closer Liam Hendriks. However, it appears that the organization wants to see Kopech in the rotation, which would seemingly increase his fantasy value if he finds success as a starter. The 25-year-old would likely have a capped workload, though, after tossing just 69.1 innings as a reliever this season.

OCTOBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

After another early exit, White Sox shift focus to future

The Chicago White Sox are shifting focus toward next season after they were eliminated in convincing fashion by Houston in an AL Division Series

OCTOBER 13, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Houston looks to clinch series win with victory over Chicago

The Astros will take a 2-1 series lead into Game 4 of the ALDS

OCTOBER 12, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS