The Los Angeles Dodgers have had a near-perfect offseason, however particularly on the earth of sports activities, perfection doesn’t exist.
Bringing in Cy Younger award winners, worldwide stars, veteran standouts, and key items from final season, the Dodgers are constructing a crew whose sole goal is to turn out to be baseball’s first repeat champions in a quarter-century.
Sadly, it’s going to probably begin with considered one of final 12 months’s most prized acquisitions on the injured listing.
The crew obtained unlucky information final month that Michael Kopech was not on time in his restoration efforts. The correct-hander referenced elbow irritation that he was capable of play by in October and different elements which have slowed him down.
“It’s nothing severe,” Kopech mentioned to Invoice Plunkett of the Orange County Register. “I used to be coping with a little bit of it final 12 months in the course of the postseason. … However then with making an attempt to take care of that this offseason and likewise having some sickness and illnesses throughout my household it type of slowed down my progress. I’m just a bit behind is all it’s. It’s not something I’m involved about so far as harm or something like that. We had a troublesome January and it type of made me put a halt to my coaching.”
The reliever continues to be optimistic relating to the 2025 season, however didn’t know for certain when requested if he would begin the marketing campaign on the injured listing.
“Greater than probably. I don’t actually know,” Kopech mentioned to Plunkett. “Issues might occur shortly and I may very well be prepared for our dwelling opener. I’m not likely certain, although, so it’s exhausting for me to say that definitively and ensure about it.”
Since arriving by means of a commerce with the Chicago White Sox final season, Kopech dazzled on the mound in his 24 innings with the Dodgers. His ERA was a formidable 1.13 as he hurled 29 strikeouts to solely 10 walks in Los Angeles.
His productiveness remained in October as his postseason ERA was 3.00 in 10 appearances. He added 10 strikeouts and solely three earned runs, proving to be a key a part of the World Sequence.
Picture Credit score: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports activities
Have you ever joined our Discord Channel but? Be part of the final word Dodgers Nation group and get VIP Nation Entry! Don’t miss out on real-time Dodgers speak, call-in entry to Dodgers Dougout, behind-the-scenes content material, unique interviews, giveaways, and extra!
