Michael Kopech last pitched for the White Sox on Sept. 5, 2018, his fourth MLB start, and he won’t appear in a White Sox uniform, toeing the rubber in a real game until 2021. On Friday, the White Sox released a statement regarding Kopech, who still hadn’t arrived at summer camp, saying the right-handed pitcher is opting out of the 2020 MLB season.
A punch to the gut for White Sox fans who are riding the wave of optimism after the team actually went out and acquired good free agents this past offseason and locked up a couple more of their young players to long-term deals. A 60-game season gives the White Sox, like every other team, a better chance to make the postseason and once you make it to October it’s really a roll of the dice when it comes to crowning a World Series champion.
But Kopech, who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, won’t be part of this year’s 60-game sprint.
The official reason given by the White Sox is that Kopech is sitting out this season because of “personal reasons.” Right after the news broke we had not one, but two reporters who provided something more specific.
National baseball writer Joel Sherman said one of the major reasons Kopech is not going to attempt to play in 2020 is concern over getting injured again seeing as there is a significantly shorter ramp up period.
James Fegan, who covers the White Sox for The Athletic had a similar report Friday night.
Via The Athletic.
Sources indicate that an abbreviated three-week ramp-up period cast doubt on Kopech’s ability to be properly ready for the season. That lingering question and the uncertainty about his role in an abbreviated 60-game campaign factored into his decision to pass up what would’ve been his first season back from Tommy John surgery.
Kopech underwent Tommy John surgery in Sept. 2018, missed the entire 2019 season and although he was throwing in the triple digits during spring training back in March the White Sox still planned to ease him back in and wasn’t expected to join the MLB roster right out of Arizona. But then the shutdown happened and everyone’s routine was screwed up.
And yes, you can bring up how Carlos Rodon also had Tommy John surgery, his coming during the 2019 season, and he he’s ready to go, but these guys aren’t robots. They’re not all going to recover the same.
And yes, you’re right, Kopech is looking out for himself and he should. It’s not like he’s gotten a mega contract yet. His health is far more important in the long term for himself and the White Sox than being available for who knows how many innings in a 60-game season.
Kopech will not get service time this year and won’t receive a salary either.
So, I get the frustration that White Sox fans are experiencing right now. Kopech came in touted as the next star in the rotation and so far he’s pitched in four games. You can question whether or not Kopech can return and be a big contributor for the White Sox, as it’ll be more than 2.5 years since he’s appeared in a game when he hopefully does return.
But c’mon, some of the reaction has been over the top. Not all White Sox fans, but some of you out there, chill.
At the end of the day, Michael Kopech has to do what he feels is the best for him.
