Michael Kopech DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed reliever Michael Kopech (shoulder) threw a bullpen session last Friday, according to manager Dave Roberts. Kopech will join the Dodgers in L.A. during their series against the Colorado Rockies and throw another bullpen session on Tuesday. The hard-throwing 28-year-old entered spring training in mid-February with a right-forearm issue. He eventually recovered from that but then developed a shoulder injury that landed him on the injured list to begin the 2025 regular season. Kopech continues to build up his arm with bullpen sessions, but he's also going to need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before returning to the Dodgers' bullpen. Barring a setback, though, he should be able to make his season debut before the end of April. When healthy, Kopech will serve as a late-inning setup man in the Dodgers' stacked bullpen.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers Clayton Kershaw (toe), Tony Gonsolin (back), and Michael Kopech (shoulder) were all placed on the 15-day injured list on Monday night. These were part of a flourish of roster moves the Dodgers made prior to their opening game in Tokyo, Japan. None of these moves came as a surprise, as these injuries have been known for a while. Kershaw is expected to require an extended absence as he recovers from toe surgery, but Gonsolin and Kopech figure to be in the mix much sooner. Kopech is an arm the Dodgers will definitely be eager to get back after he posted a 1.13 ERA and 0.79 WHIP in 24 innings after being dealt to them last season from the Chicago White Sox.

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed reliever Michael Kopech (forearm) was set to throw a bullpen session at camp on Tuesday. Kopech is behind the other pitchers at spring training due to right-forearm inflammation that he dealt with in the offseason. While nothing is determined just yet, there's a good chance Kopech won't be available for the season-opening two-game series in Tokyo, Japan, on March 18 and 19 against the Chicago Cubs, and the hard-throwing 28-year-old could also open the regular season in the U.S. on the injured list. The former 33rd overall pick by the Boston Red Sox back in 2014 was very sharp in his 24 relief appearances with L.A. last year after being acquired from the White Sox, posting a 1.13 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and six saves, but the Dodgers' offseason additions to the bullpen will likely mean few save chances, if any, for Kopech in 2025.