Michael Kopech Struggles In First Rehab Appearance

Michael Kopech began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, but it did not go according to plan as he walked all five batters faced on 23 pitches.

The right-hander at one point threw 18 consecutive balls and finished with only three strikes in the outing. All five baserunners eventually came around to score as well. Kopech started the game as an opener.

Perhaps the only bright spot was Kopech’s fastball topping out at 98.2 mph. He threw 19 fastballs against the Albuquerque Isotopes (Colorado Rockies’ Triple-A affiliate) and averaged over 96 mph on the pitch.

Kopech began the 2025 season on the 15-day injured list with what the Los Angeles Dodgers deemed a right shoulder impingement. It was a byproduct of the right forearm inflammation he dealt with during the 2024 postseason.

Kopech was transferred to the 60-day IL earlier this month and isn’t eligible to be activated until May 17. However, he will presumably return to the Dodgers after that date given his rehab assignment just started.

Pitchers are eligible to stay on a rehab assignment for a maximum of 30 days. Kopech will need to check various boxes before being activated, including building up to pitching on back-to-back days.

Michael Kopech 2024 stats with Dodgers

Kopech was acquired by the Dodgers as part of a three-team trade with the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals at the 2024 MLB trade deadline. He went 4-0 with six saves, a 1.13 ERA, 2.54 FIP and 0.79 WHIP across 24 appearances for L.A. last season.

Kopech followed that by going 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA and 10 strikeouts over nine innings pitched in 10 games (one start) during the playoffs.

Kopech and the Dodgers settled on a one-year, $5.2 million contract to avoid arbitration during the offseason. He is due to become a free agent after the 2025 season.