Michael Kopech was a key member of the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen down the stretch last season and into the playoffs, but has yet to pitch for the team so far in 2025.
Kopech has been dealing with right shoulder impingement and was placed on the 15-day injured list to begin the season. The lingering effects from right forearm inflammation that surfaced during the 2024 postseason put Kopech behind in camp and he also dealt with an illness that further contributed to not pitching in any Spring Training games.
Kopech has spent a bulk of the season at Camelback Ranch as he completes his rehab process, but was with the team on Jackie Robinson Day for a bullpen session in front of Dodgers pitching coaches.
While it was a good step in the right direction, Kopech recognizes that he still has a bit to go before getting to the point of returning, via “Dodger Talk” with David Vassegh:
“Physically, I feel great. I think it’s kind of a long road back. Building up, whether you want to call it stamina or what have you, just building up to be able to pitch in games again is kind of a long road. It was only my second bullpen since I had a setback, but it felt great. I think there’s a lot of promise in what I’m doing right now. Hopefully we can build off of that and keep going forward.”
Kopech is among the Dodgers’ top bullpen arms who opened the season on the IL, along with Brusdar Graterol and Evan Phillips.
Graterol is not expected to return until some point after the All-Star break because of the recovery from his offseason surgery, but Phillips appears to be on the verge being activated.
Kopech was extremely effective for the Dodgers after he was acquired from the Chicago White Sox at the trade deadline, with a 1.13 ERA, 29 strikeouts and 0.79 WHIP in 24 innings. He then logged nine innings during the postseason, pitching to a 3.00 ERA and collecting three holds.
Michael Kopech’s contract
Kopech and the Dodgers settled on a one-year, $5.2 million contract to avoid arbitration during the offseason. He is due to become a free agent after the 2025 season.
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