Michael Koepch’s 2023 season is over. On Friday the White Sox placed Koepch on the 15-day IL he underwent surgery to remove a cyst from his right knee, according to CHGO writer Vinnie Duber. He is expected to miss six to eight weeks.
It marks the end of a brutal 2023 campaign for Kopech. The 27-year-old right-hander posted a 5.43 ERA in 30 appearances. Lack of command has been one of Kopech’s biggest issues this season. His 15.4% walk rate ranks amongst the bottom two percent in the league. Meanwhile, his wOBA (.363), XWOBA (.364), and xERA (5.79) all place him in the league’s bottom ten percent of all MLB pitchers.
After his first 26 starts the White Sox moved him to the bullpen. The change of scenery did not do him much good. In his last seven games, Kopech carries an 8.10 ERA with a 2.40 WHIP.
His final appearance of the season came on Wednesday when he threw one inning allowing one unearned run in a start against the Nationals.
Durability has also been a concern. Koepch has had his share of injury issues in the past. This season he has been relatively healthy but has struggled to go deep into games. While Wednesday’s shortened start was by design, Kopech has failed to make it past the fifth inning in 19 of his 27 starts.
An abrupt end to the season may end up being good for Kopech to take some extra time to reset. As of now, he is still expected to be a key piece of the White Sox 2024 rotation.
