CHICAGO – Just as the White Sox were starting to form their rotation for the future, a major setback: Top prospect Michael Kopech has an injured right elbow and probably will need Tommy John ligament replacement surgery.
"If there's any silver lining to this, it would simply be that given the timing of this injury, he will be on a pace to compete without restriction at the start of spring training for 2020," General Manager Rick Hahn said Friday.
Kopech, 22, was recalled from Class AAA Charlotte on Aug. 21 and made four starts with Chicago, going 1-1 with a 5.02 ERA. Although two of his first three starts were shortened by rain, the 6-foot-3 righthander was impressive in all three, giving up only one run in 11 innings.
On Wednesday, he had trouble getting loose during warmups. He gave up seven runs on nine hits in 3⅓ innings in a loss to Detroit, then reported discomfort in his arm on Thursday.
Tests Friday "revealed a rather significant tear in his ulnar collateral ligament," Hahn said. Kopech will get a second opinion.
"If you're looking for a specific pitch or date, I couldn't tell you," Kopech said. "It's been gradual."
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