Cody Snavely
It was a busy day in Los Angeles, California, as the Dodgers finally introduced newly signed 23-year-old Rōki Sasaki at Dodger Stadium with multiple key executives and personnel in attendance.
However, after the righty was introduced and answered questions, the Dodgers media turned their attention to President of Baseball Operations Andre Freidman and General Manager Brandon Gomes, who gave multiple updates on a plethora of players as the team gears up for spring training in a few weeks.
One such topic that was asked of Brandon Gomes was the status of right-handed relief pitcher Michael Kopech, who, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports, is reportedly set to miss the first month of the 2025 season due to right forearm inflammation.
Gomes replied that the reports of Kopech’s forearm issue are “overblown” and that, like many of the Dodgers pitchers, were grinding through October, which could explain the slight dip in velocity.
Gomes continued by stating that Kopech was well into his off-season throwing program. “I don’t think there’s anything of concern at this point.”
However, the report of Kopech’s injury was the main factor in the Dodgers’ rapid signing of veteran right-handed pitcher Kirby Yates to an undisclosed contract agreement.
The Dodgers have been labeled the epicenter of the latest arm/elbow epidemic in Major League Baseball, which Andrew Friedman and Co. have been trying to address.
Prior to the end of last season, the Dodgers lost dozens of pitchers to season-ending injuries, most notably right-handed pitchers Gavin Stone (shoulder) and Tyler Glasnow (elbow).
The Dodgers bullpen, however, is full of more than capable replacements if Kopech is indeed out for an extended period, along with three lefties in the pen after the signing of Tanner Scott is made official.
With pitchers and catchers reporting to camp next month on the 11th, we should get more updates on Kopech’s injury and its severity, but until then, we will just have to take Gomes at his word.
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