Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed reliever Michael Kopech (shoulder) threw a bullpen session last Friday, according to manager Dave Roberts. Kopech will join the Dodgers in L.A. during their series against the Colorado Rockies and throw another bullpen session on Tuesday. The hard-throwing 28-year-old entered spring training in mid-February with a right-forearm issue. He eventually recovered from that but then developed a shoulder injury that landed him on the injured list to begin the 2025 regular season. Kopech continues to build up his arm with bullpen sessions, but he's also going to need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before returning to the Dodgers' bullpen. Barring a setback, though, he should be able to make his season debut before the end of April. When healthy, Kopech will serve as a late-inning setup man in the Dodgers' stacked bullpen.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers Clayton Kershaw (toe), Tony Gonsolin (back), and Michael Kopech (shoulder) were all placed on the 15-day injured list on Monday night. These were part of a flourish of roster moves the Dodgers made prior to their opening game in Tokyo, Japan. None of these moves came as a surprise, as these injuries have been known for a while. Kershaw is expected to require an extended absence as he recovers from toe surgery, but Gonsolin and Kopech figure to be in the mix much sooner. Kopech is an arm the Dodgers will definitely be eager to get back after he posted a 1.13 ERA and 0.79 WHIP in 24 innings after being dealt to them last season from the Chicago White Sox.

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed reliever Michael Kopech (forearm) was set to throw a bullpen session at camp on Tuesday. Kopech is behind the other pitchers at spring training due to right-forearm inflammation that he dealt with in the offseason. While nothing is determined just yet, there's a good chance Kopech won't be available for the season-opening two-game series in Tokyo, Japan, on March 18 and 19 against the Chicago Cubs, and the hard-throwing 28-year-old could also open the regular season in the U.S. on the injured list. The former 33rd overall pick by the Boston Red Sox back in 2014 was very sharp in his 24 relief appearances with L.A. last year after being acquired from the White Sox, posting a 1.13 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and six saves, but the Dodgers' offseason additions to the bullpen will likely mean few save chances, if any, for Kopech in 2025.

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Michael Kopech (forearm) threw off the mound earlier on Saturday. Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic noted that the right-handed pitcher is expected to "touch the mound" for a brief session on Sunday as well. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring Kopech's status throughout camp, as he may miss the start of the season. Earlier in the offseason, Kopech was unavailable due to right forearm inflammation. However, seeing the 28-year-old begin to throw off the mound is a positive sign. Last season, the Dodgers acquired Kopech from the Chicago White Sox at the trade deadline. With the Dodgers, Kopech held a stellar 1.13 ERA and a 0.79 WHIP across 24 innings of work. He tallied 29 punchouts and six saves. When cleared for action, he should have a high-leverage role and compete for save opportunities.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that right-handed reliever Michael Kopech (forearm) is behind schedule in his ramp-up to open spring training, and the skipper is unsure if Kopech will have to start the 2025 regular season on the injured list. Kopech dealt with right-forearm inflammation this winter, although some in the Dodgers organization were saying that his injury was being overblown. The 28-year-old hasn't been shut down from throwing, though, so if he does start the year on the IL, hopefully it won't be a lengthy stay before he makes his season debut. The hard-throwing reliever was great for the Dodgers in 24 regular-season appearances last year after being acquired from the White Sox, posting a 1.13 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and six saves. However, the additions of relievers Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates this offseason make it unlikely Kopech sees many save chances in 2025.

Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said on Wednesday that reports of a forearm injury for right-handed reliever Michael Kopech (forearm) have been overblown. Like many of the team's other pitchers during their World Series run last October, Kopech was "grinding" through a forearm issue. "I don't think there's anything of concern at this point," Gomes said. A report surfaced last week that indicated there was a chance the hard-throwing right-hander might have to miss the first month of the 2025 regular season due to right-forearm inflammation. It's something to watch for the 28-year-old with spring training right around the corner, but our guess is the Blue will take it easy on him in camp, especially since he won't need many innings to get ready for the season in a full-time relief role. L.A. signed lefty Tanner Scott and righty Kirby Yates as insurance. When healthy, Kopech has one of the most dominant fastballs in the game, and he should be a great source of K's and holds when healthy.

USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale reports that the Los Angeles Dodgers have added more bullpen depth with left-hander Tanner Scott and right-hander Kirby Yates in recent days with right-hander Michael Kopech (undisclosed) expected to possibly miss the first month of the regular season. At this time, it's unknown what type of ailment Kopech is dealing with, but the hard-throwing 28-year-old probably won't pitch in spring training. Stay tuned for more details on his injury. If he's not ready for Opening Day, expect Scott to serve as LA's primary closer, with Yates and Evan Phillips working in high-leverage setup roles for the defending World Series champions. Kopech leaned more on his elite fastball in 2024 to excellent results, posting a league-best 34% whiff rate on his four-seamer. He had 15 saves, 10 holds and six wins with LA and the White Sox, but his injury will drop his fantasy appeal heading into the 2025 season.

Right-handed reliever Michael Kopech and the Los Angeles Dodgers avoided salary arbitration on Thursday by agreeing to a one-year, $5.2 million deal for 2025. Kopech began last season as the closer for the Chicago White Sox and struggled with a 4.74 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with nine saves, 59 strikeouts and 24 walks in 43 2/3 innings before he was traded to the Dodgers at the trade deadline. The hard-throwing 28-year-old turned things around when he got to LA and helped the team win the World Series in the fall. In his 24 appearances out of the bullpen for the Blue in the regular season, Kopech had a pristine 1.13 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, six saves, 29 strikeouts and 10 walks in 24 innings. With his full-time move to a relief role in 2024, Kopech's velocity predictably went up and he induced whiffs 34% of the time on his heater. Walks can be an issue, but he'll once again be in the mix for saves in 2025 on the best team in baseball.

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Michael Kopech collected his 11th save of the season and second in three days on Sunday, locking down a 2-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. Kopech has been fantastic since he was acquired by the Dodgers at the trade deadline, tossing 9 shutout frames, striking out 13, and allowing just one hit and one walk. LA hasn't been able to lock down a closer since removing Evan Phillips from the role, but it appears manager Dave Roberts has found his guy in Kopech. As the Dodgers' potential closer, he should be rostered in any league where saves count.

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Michael Kopech was handed the ball in the ninth inning Friday, pitching a clean frame with no hits or walks and recording two strikeouts while notching the save in the 7-6 victory over the Cardinals. It was the righty's first save in a Dodger uniform after coming over from the White Sox. While the 28-year-old's tenure with the Sox was tumultuous, it has been smooth sailing so far in L.A., posting a 0.00 ERA in eight appearances, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out 13 batters. Daniel Hudson blew a save on Thursday and it has been nearly a month since Evan Phillips earned a save, so while all three are in the mix, Kopech's effectiveness should provide him more opportunities for saves going forward.

The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired reliever Michael Kopech from the Chicago White Sox as part of a three-team trade on Monday. Kopech was a starter for the White Sox during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. However, the team moved him to the bullpen this offseason. It has been mixed results for the right-hander in that role this year, as he currently owns a 4.74 ERA and 59 strikeouts across 43 appearances. The 28-year-old was Chicago's closer in 2024, but it's unclear what type of role he will have with the Dodgers for the rest of the season. As a result, he likely should only be considered in extremely deep fantasy formats.

Chicago White Sox closer Michael Kopech nailed down the win in Wednesday's 3-1 victory over the Twins, recording his ninth save of the season. The righty came in pumping strikes, throwing just nine pitches in the inning, getting four whiffs and striking out all three batters he faced. This is partly why Kopech has remained closer because it shows what he is capable of, but it hasn't gone so smoothly this season, even allowing four earned runs in a blown save just two outings ago. For the season, the 28-year-old owns a 5.18 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, and an 18.0% K-BB% which would be much higher if not for a bloated 12.9% BB%. In addition to his nine saves, he's also got five blown saves on the season, but he'll likely remain the Sox's closer as he's still probably their best option.

Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Michael Kopech was called upon to hold a one-run lead against the Miami Marlins on Sunday. He was unable to do that as the Marlins were all over Kopech. He walked the first batter of the inning but seemed to settle down after that. Kopech eventually unraveled and allowed a game-winning three-run home run to Jake Burger. This is now three straight rough outings for Kopech. It's hard to justify keeping him on fantasy rosters at this point.

Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Michael Kopech picked up his fourth save of the season on Thursday, shutting down the Cleveland Guardians in a 3-2 win. Kopech got the final four outs of this one, allowing just a hit while striking out one. Although the White Sox aren't likely to get many save chances, it appears Kopech is the go-to guy when the opportunity arises. He now has four of the team's seven saves and has saves in back-to-back games as well. It might be time to consider picking him up in leagues where saves are sparse.

Chicago White Sox closer Michael Kopech locked down Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, firing a scoreless ninth inning to secure the victory. Kopech got Randy Arozarena to fly out before giving up a single to Harold Ramirez, but the hurler managed to induce a game-ending double play out of Isaac Paredes. It's been a mixed bag from the hard-throwing 28-year-old right-hander as a reliever for the last-place ChiSox this season, but he does have three saves as well as a serviceable 3.93 ERA and 1.25 WHIP while fanning 25 and walking 10 over 18 1/3 frames as Chicago's preferred ninth-inning weapon. Rookie righty Jordan Leasure and veteran John Brebbia are also in the mix for save opportunities on the South Side, making Kopech a fringe hold in fantasy leagues for saves desperados.

Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Michael Kopech picked up his second save of the season in Tuesday's 7-5 win over the Guardians. Kopech came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth inning up by two and struck out the side. He stayed in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and delivered another 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout to end the game. The 27-year-old has pitched well overall since moving to the bullpen, converting both of his save opportunities with a 2.45 ERA, 12 strikeouts, and five walks in 7 1/3 innings pitched. Walks are still an issue and the White Sox may not offer many save opportunities, but Kopech seems like the bullpen arm to roster in fantasy leagues at this time given his performance.

Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Michael Kopech earned his first save of the season in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Braves. Kopech came in to pitch the top of the eighth inning up by one with one out and runners on first and second. He got a groundball double play to end the half-inning and stayed on to pitch the ninth, now up by two. He got the first out on a fly-out, allowed a solo home run, got the second out on a strikeout, allowed a walk and a single, and got the final out on a pop-out. It wasn't pretty, but it was the team's first save of the season. Kopech has looked about as expected in his new bullpen role, compiling a 2.08 ERA with five strikeouts and three walks in 4 1/3 IP. Walks could cripple him as they have in the past, but he looks to be a potential closer for the White Sox in the early going.

Chicago White Sox right-hander Michael Kopech is being moved to the bullpen, according to general manager Chris Getz. It doesn't come as a huge surprise after Kopech finished last year pitching in relief for the Pale Hose. However, it's a bit more surprising after Chicago just traded ace Dylan Cease to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday evening. The 27-year-old Kopech, a former first-round pick by the Boston Red Sox in 2014, had a career-worst 5.43 ERA (6.46 FIP) and 1.59 WHIP with a league-high 91 walks and a career-high 134 strikeouts in 129 1/3 innings over 30 outings (27 starts) in 2023. Given the lack of closing options in Chicago's current bullpen, Kopech might be the favorite for saves now, which would make him much more valuable in fantasy than if he remained in a starting role.

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Michael Kopech looked nearly unhittable during Friday's game versus the Chicago Cubs. The right-hander struck out five batters over two hitless innings during Friday's loss. This is extremely encouraging for Kopech who seemed destined to end up in the bullpen. Possibly, Kopech can make a resurgence as a starting pitcher in 2024. It's still early in spring training, but his stuff looks better than ever before. Fantasy managers should start putting Kopech's name in the sleeper conversation during drafts.

Chicago White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech (knee) is in the "best physical shape since 2021," pitching coach Ethan Katz relayed to Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times. It's unclear just how much stock fantasy managers should take in this update, but it's a promising report nonetheless considering Kopech recently admitted he lost 20 pounds while recovering from knee surgery. "He's been phenomenal," Katz added in regard to Kopech on Thursday. "Ball's coming out hot and he's pounding the strike zone, so right now he's in a great spot." The 27-year-old was roughed up through 30 games last year, amassing a 6.46 FIP, 35.5 GB%, 6.33 BB/9, and 2.02 HR/9.