The Los Angeles Dodgers activated Michael Kopech and Amed Rosario to their roster ahead of their series opener against the San Diego Padres.
Kopech replaced Ryan Yarbrough, who was designated for assignment on Monday as part of the Rosario trade, on the active roster. Rosario takes the spot of Miguel Vargas, who was sent to the Chicago White Sox on Monday.
Kopech is wearing No. 45 for the Dodgers and Rosario will don No. 27.
Kopech was acquired as part of a three-team trade with the St. Louis Cardinals and White Sox that sent Vargas and a pair of prospects to the White Sox. Rosario was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays for Minor League pitcher Michael Flynn.
The 28-year-old is a former top prospect of the White Sox with elite stuff, but he’s struggled with his command, which has limited his production at the Major League level.
He relies on a fastball, cutter and slider and uses them to produce elite whiff rates, ranking in the 86th percentile of pitchers with a 30.6% rate. He has struck out just shy of 31% of hitters, putting him in the 92nd percentile.
His fastball ranks at an elite mark with a 153 stuff+ grade, and his slider is also a very strong pitch with a 116 stuff+ grade.
However, Kopech has thrown 43.2 innings with a 4.74 ERA, 3.90 xERA and 4.82 FIP as his walk rate is in the seventh percentile of pitchers at 12.6% and he is often unable to command his elite stuff.
If the Dodgers are able to make an adjustment or figure out how to get Kopech to fix his command, he has the potential to be one of MLB’s premier relievers.
Still, he’s a work in progress and there’s no guarantee he’ll be able to figure out his issues.
Kopech’s best season came in 2021 when he posted a 3.50 ERA and 2.97 FIP while striking out 36.1% of hitters and walking 8.4%. He owns a career 4.38 ERA with a 4.99 FIP.
Rosario is back for a second stint with the Dodgers by joining the team at the deadline once again. The versatile infielder hit .307/.331/.417 with 17 doubles, three triples, two home runs and 26 RBI over 76 games with the Rays this season, playing second base, shortstop, third base and right field.
After joining the Dodgers last season, Rosario batted .256/.301/.408 with six doubles, three home runs and 18 RBI while adjusting to playing second base.
Dodgers DFA Gus Varland & Nick Ramirez
Ahead of the trade deadline, the Dodgers traded prospects Thayron Liranzo and Trey Sweeney to the Detroit Tigers for Jack Flaherty, and sent Yarbrough to the Toronto Blue Jays for Kevin Kiermaier.
To add Flaherty and Kiermaier to the 40-man roster, the Dodgers designated Gus Varland and Nick Ramirez for assignment.
The Dodgers still need to make room on their active roster for Rosario, Kiermaier and Flaherty, but those will be made in the coming days. Edman remains on the 60-day injured list.
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