Curious about Michael Kopech’s injury status for the upcoming season? The Dodgers’ hard-throwing righty has sparked discussions following reports of forearm inflammation and his uncertain timeline for 2025. Known for his blistering fastball and high-strikeout performances, Kopech’s health remains a key topic as spring training approaches.
Let’s break down the latest updates on Kopech’s condition, his standout contributions in 2024, and how the Dodgers are preparing for any potential adjustments in their bullpen.
What happened to Michael Kopech?
Michael Kopech, a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is reportedly dealing with forearm inflammation, according to CBS Sports.
While no structural damage has been identified, Kopech may miss the first month of the 2025 season as a precaution. Fabian Ardaya and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that Kopech pitched through a forearm issue during the Dodgers’ 2024 postseason but noted it was not considered severe at the time.
Dodgers General Manager Brandon Gomes stated on January 22 that Michael Kopech is engaged in his offseason throwing program. Gomes downplayed concerns about Kopech’s condition, as reported by Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. Meanwhile, the Dodgers are preparing for potential bullpen adjustments. They recently signed Tanner Scott to a four-year deal and are finalizing an agreement with All-Star reliever Kirby Yates.
Kopech joined the Dodgers in a three-team trade with the White Sox midseason in 2024. He delivered a strong regular-season performance, posting a 1.13 ERA over 24 innings and striking out 33% of batters faced. His postseason results were less consistent, allowing three runs in nine innings, with seven walks and 10 strikeouts. Despite these struggles, his fastball velocity remained at 98-99 MPH.
Reports indicate that while Kopech’s forearm inflammation may delay his start to the season, the Dodgers have not publicly confirmed his status for Opening Day. The team has multiple high-leverage bullpen options, including Blake Treinen, Evan Phillips, Tanner Scott, and potentially Kirby Yates, providing flexibility should Kopech require additional recovery time.
