CHICAGO — Opening day might have been delayed, but the business of baseball carried on Thursday for the White Sox, who optioned pitcher Michael Kopech to Triple-A Charlotte.
Kopech, the No. 3 prospect in the organization, missed all of 2019 while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Kopech made several strides in his recovery this spring, including making a start on March 10 against the Rangers at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz. He struck out one while retiring the side in order in his one inning.
His first four pitches, according to the scoreboard at Camelback Ranch, were 100, 101, 100 and 101 mph. Six of his 11 pitches were clocked at either 100 or 101.
“His stuff was electric,” Sox manager Rick Renteria said the next day.
Kopech made four starts for the Sox in 2018 after they called him up from Charlotte in August. He allowed only one run in 11 innings over his first three starts but gave up seven runs on nine hits, including four home runs, in 3 1/3 innings on Sept. 5. He was diagnosed with a torn right ulnar collateral ligament the next day and underwent surgery Sept. 18.
The March 10 outing marked a dazzling return to live competition.
After the game, Kopech was asked about his timeline.
“They have a plan in mind, and if I don’t fit into it right away, then I hope to fit into it at some point,” he said. “Right now I’m just going to do what I do, and hopefully they get me there at the right time.”
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