This Michael Kopech update is something to worry about

The Chicago White Sox used Michael Kopech as a reliever in 2021 as he came back from a long absence due to injury and off-the-field things. Then, in 2022, they eased him back into being a starter. For a lot of seasons, you can be very happy with what you saw from him this year in that role.

However, there are a few things to be concerned about. For one, he had dominant days but then had others where he was just average. He is expected to become a superstar pitcher at some point but it is going to take some time.

Kopech very much had a season similar to the one Dylan Cease had in 2021. Now, we see just how dominant Cease is after another year of development. If that clicks for Kopech as well, the White Sox will have a lot to be excited about with their rotation.

The only difference is that Kopech deals with injuries from time to time which is something that Cease really hasn’t done up to this point. Now, Cease isn’t going to make 32 starts every single season but he has certainly shown more durability than just about every other White Sox pitcher.

On Saturday, the White Sox announced that Michael underwent successful surgery to repair a meniscus tear. He is expected to recover fully in time to participate in spring training with nothing holding him back.

It is time to be a little worried about Michael Kopech and his long-term success.

This is something to be concerned about for the Chicago White Sox. It always seems to be something health-wise for Kopech and they need to get him healthy. The fact that they identified it and fixed it is good news because now he can recover and get ready for the 2023 season.

It is also good news that it truly has nothing to do with his arm. His arm is his money maker as it has the potential to be elite. If he can get his lower body strength back after his surgery, he should be able to take another big step in 2023.

Michael Kopech has the potential to be as elite if not better than Dylan Cease. That fact makes this surgery something to worry about. Chances are that he will be fine from this but then what comes after that?

We have to hope that he doesn’t become that player that could have been elite if he “just stayed healthy”. Hopefully, he has a strong offseason that allows him to come to spring training healthy and ready to go.