3 weeks agoLos Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher
Michael Kopech (forearm) threw off the mound earlier on Saturday. Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic noted that the right-handed pitcher is expected to "touch the mound" for a brief session on Sunday as well. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring Kopech's status throughout camp, as he may miss the start of the season. Earlier in the offseason, Kopech was unavailable due to right forearm inflammation. However, seeing the 28-year-old begin to throw off the mound is a positive sign. Last season, the Dodgers acquired Kopech from the Chicago White Sox at the trade deadline. With the Dodgers, Kopech held a stellar 1.13 ERA and a 0.79 WHIP across 24 innings of work. He tallied 29 punchouts and six saves. When cleared for action, he should have a high-leverage role and compete for save opportunities.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: David Vassegh
2 months agoLos Angeles Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said on Wednesday that reports of a forearm injury for right-handed reliever
Michael Kopech (forearm) have been overblown. Like many of the team's other pitchers during their World Series run last October, Kopech was "grinding" through a forearm issue. "I don't think there's anything of concern at this point," Gomes said. A report surfaced last week that indicated there was a chance the hard-throwing right-hander might have to miss the first month of the 2025 regular season due to right-forearm inflammation. It's something to watch for the 28-year-old with spring training right around the corner, but our guess is the Blue will take it easy on him in camp, especially since he won't need many innings to get ready for the season in a full-time relief role. L.A. signed lefty
Tanner Scott and righty
Kirby Yates as insurance. When healthy, Kopech has one of the most dominant fastballs in the game, and he should be a great source of K's and holds when healthy.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Orange County Register - Bill Plunkett
2 months agoUSA TODAY's Bob Nightengale reports that the Los Angeles Dodgers have added more bullpen depth with left-hander
Tanner Scott and right-hander
Kirby Yates in recent days with right-hander
Michael Kopech (undisclosed) expected to possibly miss the first month of the regular season. At this time, it's unknown what type of ailment Kopech is dealing with, but the hard-throwing 28-year-old probably won't pitch in spring training. Stay tuned for more details on his injury. If he's not ready for Opening Day, expect Scott to serve as LA's primary closer, with Yates and
Evan Phillips working in high-leverage setup roles for the defending World Series champions. Kopech leaned more on his elite fastball in 2024 to excellent results, posting a league-best 34% whiff rate on his four-seamer. He had 15 saves, 10 holds and six wins with LA and the White Sox, but his injury will drop his fantasy appeal heading into the 2025 season.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: USA TODAY Sports - Bob Nightengale
2 months agoRight-handed reliever
Michael Kopech and the Los Angeles Dodgers avoided salary arbitration on Thursday by agreeing to a one-year, $5.2 million deal for 2025. Kopech began last season as the closer for the Chicago White Sox and struggled with a 4.74 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with nine saves, 59 strikeouts and 24 walks in 43 2/3 innings before he was traded to the Dodgers at the trade deadline. The hard-throwing 28-year-old turned things around when he got to LA and helped the team win the World Series in the fall. In his 24 appearances out of the bullpen for the Blue in the regular season, Kopech had a pristine 1.13 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, six saves, 29 strikeouts and 10 walks in 24 innings. With his full-time move to a relief role in 2024, Kopech's velocity predictably went up and he induced whiffs 34% of the time on his heater. Walks can be an issue, but he'll once again be in the mix for saves in 2025 on the best team in baseball.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
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