(670 The Score) After dealing with serious injury adversity and prioritizing his mental health over the past two-plus years, White Sox right-hander Michael Kopech on Sunday took the mound for a start in a regular-season game for the first time since September 2018 and showed his dominant form.
Kopech stepped in for a spot start in the second game of a doubleheader at Fenway Park, working three-plus innings while allowing one earned run. He was a pivotal figure in the White Sox's 5-1 win, which capped their doubleheader sweep of the Red Sox.
"He's something special," White Sox closer Liam Hendriks said of Kopech.
"He pitched his balls off today."
For Kopech, pitching against the Red Sox brought him full circle. He came up in Boston's farm system before being dealt to Chicago in December 2016 as a key return in the blockbuster trade of ace Chris Sale from the White Sox to the Red Sox. Kopech then underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2018, rehabbed for all of 2019 and opted out of the 2020 season amid the pandemic to focus on his own well-being.
Kopech, 24, has pitched out of the bullpen to open this season while he establishes an innings base as he works his way back to the starting rotation. But when manager Tony La Russa needed a starter for the second game of this doubleheader, Kopech wanted the ball. As he went through his pregame routine, Kopech felt a sense of appreciation in the opportunity.
"It's been two years," Kopech said. "Those two years were definitely a challenging two years for me mentally. Getting back out there is more so proving to myself that I'm able to do this.
"I was able to soak that in."
The White Sox plan for Kopech to be a starter in the long term, but he has emerged as a key weapon for La Russa's bullpen. Kopech has faced 40 batters in 10 2/3 innings this season. He has struck out 17 while allowing just two runs on three hits and four walks, looking dominant the whole way. He has a 1.69 ERA. On Sunday, Kopech allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out four.
Kopech has emerged into the "upper echelon of guys we trust to come into a close game," La Russa said, comparing his versatility to Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright. While he's eager to be a starter once again, Kopech is making the most of his current role.
"He's going to be a starting pitcher, but he's going to be a force coming out of the bullpen," La Russa said. "He's already showing that."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.