The Los Angeles Dodgers currently have 14 pitchers on the injured list, which has put a significant strain on their starting rotation and bullpen as the likes of Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech and Blake Treinen remain among those out.
In Kopech’s case, he started the season on the 15-day injured list because of a right shoulder impingement. He pitched through right forearm inflammation during the 2024 postseason and that delayed his offseason and ultimately Spring Training.
Kopech did not appear in a Cactus League game as the Dodgers erred on the side of caution. The recovery process carried well into the regular season, but Kopech started a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on May 8.
According to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group, manager Dave Roberts said Kopech just has a few more games to pitch in before joining the Dodgers bullpen:
“I think he’s progressing, but I think there’s still a couple, two or three more outings before we see him up here,” Roberts said.
Roberts’ comments came prior to Kopech pitching on Sunday, which was his sixth rehab game with the Comets. He seemingly was on a schedule of pitching after receiving two days of rest as Kopech got into games on May 8, 11 and 14. However, he then wasn’t back on the mound until May 20.
That was followed by the right-hander pitching again on May 23 before going his shortest stretch between appearances by also entering Sunday’s game. One final benchmark will be appearing in back-to-back games.
Overall on his rehab assignment, Kopech has logged 4.1 innings and allowed 10 runs. He’s also walked eight batters while striking out just six.
Michael Kopech eligible to return
Kopech was transferred to the 60-day injured list on May 1 as the Dodgers need to make room on their 40-man roster at the time.
That meant Kopech wasn’t eligible to be activated until May 17, which was well ahead of his timeline anyhow. Thus, the 29-year-old can already be reinstated from the 60-day IL. The Dodgers will need to make a corresponding move on their 40-man roster once Kopech is ready to return.
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