The White Sox didn't give a specific reason for why Kopech is sitting out, though a number of players across the MLB landscape have chosen to opt out for safety reasons amid the coronavirus pandemic. Kopech, 24, hadn't yet reported to summer camp, which started last Friday. The White Sox cited a personal matter for Kopech not arriving to camp.
Kopech is healthy, general manager Rick Hahn said previously.
"Michael Kopech has informed us of his decision to not participate in the 2020 season," Hahn said in a statement. "We recognize that reaching this decision is incredibly difficult for any competitive athlete, and our organization is understanding and supportive. We will work with Michael to assure his development continues throughout 2020, and we look forward to welcoming him back into our clubhouse for the 2021 season."
Kopech was expected to be a key member of the White Sox in some manner in 2020, whether it was in the rotation or out of the bullpen.
Kopech hasn't pitched in an MLB regular-season game since Sept. 5, 2018, after which he underwent Tommy John surgery. He missed all of 2019 while rehabbing.
"It's something that has to be a daily practice," Kopech said of his mental health. "For me, it's been a routine, a self-care routine, if you will, I've had to create for myself to kind of cope with this. And that may sound overwhelming to some people, like, 'Oh you have to do that just to live a normal life.' But you know what? It is just part of me. And for a lot of people, part of their routine and their life would be different to me. But kind of learning to deal with these things and finding things that work for me, yeah, it's really been comforting."