A somewhat overlooked aspect of the 2024 trade deadline at the time was the Los Angeles Dodgers acquiring Michael Kopech as part of their three-team trade with the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox.
Kopech was a former top prospect who was converted from starting pitcher to a bullpen role, where he found some success. That still entailed a bit of inconsistency, but the right-hander had the profile of a pitcher who seemingly would benefit from working with Dodgers coaches.
That is what transpired as Kopech became one of manager Dave Roberts’ top options for high-leverage situations. But as the Dodgers add to their bullpen with Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates, there is some uncertainty with Kopech.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, one factor behind the Dodgers pursuing Yates even after agreeing to terms with Scott is Kopech is expected to miss the start of the 2025 season because of injury:
The Dodgers, who will have a payroll exceeding $380 million, wanted more bullpen depth with reliever Michael Kopech expected to possibly miss the first month of the season. https://t.co/ih7PGRbZHI
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 21, 2025
Details of Kopech’s injury have not yet been made public, but he did pitch through right forearm trouble in helping the Dodgers win the 2024 World Series, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
Michael Kopech dealt with a forearm issue throughout the postseason, league sources said, but it was not deemed to be anything he couldn’t pitch through.
Along with Kopech being an apparent question mark, the Dodgers are also facing the reality of being without Brusdar Graterol for a prolonged stretch as well. Coming off an injury-marred season, Graterol underwent right shoulder surgery that is expected to keep him out through at least the first half of 2025.
Meanwhile, Alex Vesia and Evan Phillips both finished the World Series run at less than 100% as well.
Vesia returned from an intercostal injury after missing the National League Championship Series, but Phillips was left off the Dodgers’ World Series roster because of a right shoulder injury.
Michael Kopech’s contract
Kopech was among the Dodgers’ arbitration-eligible players who was tendered a contract at the deadline in November. He then went on to agree to a one-year, $5.2 million contract to avoid arbitration.
Kopech’s salary for the 2025 season matches the projection MLB Trade Rumors made for his final year of arbitration.
During the regular season, Kopech went 4-0 with six saves, a 1.13 ERA, 2.54 FIP and 0.79 WHIP across 24 appearances for the Dodgers. He followed that by going 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA and 10 strikeouts over nine innings pitched in 10 games (one start) during the playoffs.
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