White Sox option Michael Kopech to Triple A-Charlotte
- After missing all of 2019 following elbow surgery, Michael Kopech has been optioned to Triple-A Charlotte by the Chicago White Sox.
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The Chicago White Sox have optioned pitcher Michael Kopech to Triple-A Charlotte as the former top prospect continues his recovery from reconstructive elbow surgery.
Kopech missed the entire 2019 season after going under the knife in September 2018.
The hard-throwing right-hander made one appearance – a scoreless inning of work – this term before Cactus League games were suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Acquired from the Red Sox in December 2016 as a key piece of the blockbuster trade that sent All-Star hurler Chris Sale to Boston, Kopech emerged as one of the majors' premier pitching prospects by posting a 3.70 ERA and striking out 170 batters in 126 1/3 innings for Charlotte in 2018.
He made his major league debut in August of that year and went 1-1 with a 5.02 ERA in four starts before tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.
The White Sox added experience in the form of 2015 American League Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel and left-hander Gio Gonzalez this offseason to a rotation also expected to include holdovers Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Dylan Cease.
Published 27 Mar 2020, 02:44 IST