Dodgers News: Kopech Lands on the IL with Knee Inflammation; Will Klein Recalled
Kopech lands on the IL for the second time this season
LOS ANGELES, CA— Prior to tonight’s Game One of a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox at Dodger Stadium, the team announced that right-handed pitcher Michael Kopech would be placed on the 15-day injured list due to right knee inflammation.
Kopech, 29, won’t get a chance to face his former club, heading to the injured list for the second time this season. The righty missed the start of the regular season after dealing with a right shoulder impingement.
Despite a rocky minor league rehab assignment where Kopech posted a 15.63 ERA in six appearances, he was lights out for Los Angeles, tossing seven scoreless innings while collecting eight strikeouts.
According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Kopech downplayed the severity of the issue, stating the scans just showed inflammation. However, Kopech still received an injection but did not want to pitch through the injury and compensate with his drive leg, which could lead to further arm issues.
In his place, the Dodgers have recalled right-handed pitcher Will Klein, who was optioned this past Thursday. Overall, since joining the Dodgers after being DFA’d by the Seattle Mariners, the righty has tossed 3.2 scoreless innings for the bullpen.
It’s a tough loss for a Dodgers bullpen that has already pitched more innings than any team in Major League Baseball, but the silver lining is that the All-Star break is on the horizon, and the Dodgers have plenty of options to pick from in the minor leagues.
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