First it was Shohei Ohtani, and now it’s Michael Kopech. For the second time this week, a team is recommending Tommy John surgery for one of its top young pitchers.
The Chicago White Sox said on Friday that Kopech needs Tommy John surgery for a tear in his UCL. The team says Kopech will seek a second opinion before deciding to undergo the operation.
Michael Kopech will likely undergo Tommy John surgery after tests revealed a tear in his UCL. He is expected to be ready for Spring Training in 2020.
He will receive a second opinion in the days coming to confirm today’s diagnosis.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) September 7, 2018
This is brutal news.
The 22-year-old was called up last month to make his MLB debut after performing well in Triple-A. Kopech had a 5.02 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 14.1 innings and 15 strikeouts with the Sox.
Kopech is one of the hardest-throwing starters in MLB and was one of the prized pieces traded to Chicago in the Chris Sale deal, along with Yoan Mocada.
