The Los Angeles Dodgers placed Michael Kopech on the 15-day injured list due to right knee inflammation and recalled Will Klein from Triple-A Oklahoma City before Friday’s game against the San Francisco Giants.
It’s the second time this season the Dodgers put Kopech on the IL and recalled Klein, with the first instance coming on July 1.
Kopech has struggled to throw strikes since last returning from the IL, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated on Thursday night he could be dealing with an injury.
“I don’t know if he’s banged up. It might be a shoulder, might be an elbow,” Roberts said. “Coming off knee surgery, he just has a hard time syncing his throw up, and it’s been tough.
“At that point in time in the game, you got to go with somebody you know that can throw the ball over the plate to potentially get guys out, so that’s why I went to Blake right there. But yeah, I mean, he’s kind of in it right now and trying to figure it out.”
On Friday, Kopech said he was “battling a couple things,” but declined to comment further.
Kopech has spent most of the year on the shelf. He began the season on the 15-day injured list because of a right shoulder impingement that was believed to be related to lingering effects from right forearm inflammation that surfaced during the 2024 postseason.
Kopech wasn’t activated until June 7, but landed back on the injured list July 1 due to right knee inflammation. That was followed by undergoing surgery to repair the meniscus in his right knee.
Kopech had lapses in command while on rehab assignment at multiple times this year, but the Dodgers were hopeful returning to a Major League environment would lend to improvement. But the right-hander is averaging 10.6 walks per nine innings and has a 24.5% walk rate, both of which are career-worst marks.
Will Klein back on Dodgers roster
Klein was last with the Dodgers on July 26 before being optioned the following day to activate Blake Treinen.
The 25-year-old has been somewhat effective with a 3.38 ERA and shown upside with 15 strikeouts in 10.2 innings, but command has been Klein’s downfall.
Klein has walked nine hitters in 10 games, giving him a 1.97 WHIP. Klein has also loaded the bases in each of his previous two appearances with four total walks in just two innings.
With the Comets, Klein pitched to a 5.16 ERA in 22.2 innings, but he struck out 44 hitters. Overall this year in the Minors, he has a 6.14 ERA with 76 strikeouts in 44 innings.
Klein is likely just filling a spot until the Dodgers activate Brock Stewart next week.
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