Michael Kopech DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that right-handed reliever Michael Kopech (shoulder) has started facing live hitters in Arizona and is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment next week. Kopech has been dealing with arm issues since late last season and he landed on the injured list to begin the 2025 regular season due to right-forearm inflammation. A shoulder impingement has slowed him down of late, but he's making good progress now and could be on the verge of making his season debut as long as he doesn't have setbacks during his rehab assignment. The 29-year-old should return to the Dodgers' bullpen, barring a setback, by the end of May. Kopech was great in his 24 relief innings in the regular season last year after being acquired from the White Sox, posting a 1.13 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, six saves and 29 K's, but he'll be more of a setup man in 2025 in the Dodgers' revamped bullpen.

The Los Angeles Dodgers transferred right-handed reliever Blake Treinen (forearm) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Thursday, according to The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya. Righty reliever Michael Kopech (shoulder) to the 60-day IL. In other moves, the Dodgers claimed J.P. Feyereisen off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks and acquired right-hander Ryan Loutos from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for cash considerations. Treinen, 36, has yet to resume throwing after suffering a sprained right forearm in mid-April and now won't be able to come off the IL until the middle of June. Kopech, 29, hasn't pitched yet in 2025 due to right-forearm inflammation and a right-shoulder impingement. He's likely to return before Treinen does and has built up to 30 pitches during bullpen sessions.

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.