(670 The Score) One of the most intriguing players on the White Sox as they enter a much-anticipated season is 23-year-old right-hander Michael Kopech, who boasts a world of talent and will make a return after missing all of 2019 while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.
And one of the most intriguing questions for the White Sox is how they'll deploy Kopech, who has never thrown more than 140 2/3 innings in a season. The White Sox have hinted their plan is to slow roll Kopech into his spring training work and the new season, as they want him to stay fresh throughout the year and not tire late when they hope to be in a playoff race.
While details haven't been revealed, it appears more and more likely that Kopech won't open the season in the rotation but will join it later.
"With the acquisition of Gio Gonzalez as well as (Dallas) Keuchel in our starting rotation, we don't even have to think about trying to push, race, quicken the path of Michael, who went through surgery," pitching coach Don Cooper said on the Mully & Haugh Show on Friday morning.
"He's going to get a personalized schedule, and we're probably going to take it a bit slower. Because why? What's the get back for us if we go fast? There is none. So it'd be foolish. Make sure his feet are firmly planted on the ground. He will be back at some point. I can't give you that date."
Asked later if the White Sox have innings thresholds in mind for some of the young starters like Kopech, Cooper suggested they did and could adjust their rotation a bit during the season.
"Somewhere down the road, we might think about skipping a start," Cooper said in speaking about the staff and no one player in particular.
Kopech posted a 5.02 ERA and flashed his electric arsenal in four starts in his debut in 2018 before being sidelined. He knows it's time to prove himself with his work and production now that he's back to full health.
"There's things I have to do and there's things I have to re-prove after surgery," Kopech said on the McNeil & Parkins Show on Thursday. "That's not me asking for pity. That's just me seeing how it is and looking forward to taking advantage of that competitive side of me."
