Another day, another blow to the Los Angeles\u2019 Dodgers\u2019 duct-taped pitching staff.<\/p>\n
Reliever Michael Kopech underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his troublesome right knee, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reported Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The 29-year-old right-hander, who last pitched on June 26, was subsequently transferred to the 60-day injured list, shelving him until at least the end of August.<\/p>\n
While the news came as a surprise, Kopech could still return before the playoffs, barring any setbacks.<\/p>\n
Michael Kopech Joins Long List of Dodgers on IL<\/strong><\/p>\n Kopech missed more than two months to start the season because of a right shoulder impingement.<\/p>\n He returned June 8 to throw seven scoreless innings across eight appearances before landing back on the 15-day IL with right knee inflammation.<\/p>\n At the time, manager Dave Roberts suggested that Kopech\u2019s stay on the IL would be brief.<\/p>\n He now joins a long list of Dodgers pitchers on the 60-day IL, including two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell (shoulder), Roki Sasaki (shoulder), Tony Gonsolin (elbow) and Evan Phillips (elbow).<\/p>\n Tyler Glasnow returned from the 60-day IL on Wednesday to throw five strong innings in a 3-2, 10-inning loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. In a corresponding move, reliever Alexis Diaz was optioned back to Triple-A Oklahoma City, one day after being promoted.<\/p>\n Despite a six-game losing streak, the Dodgers maintain the best record in the National League at 56-38. They entered Thursday with a five-game lead over the San Francisco Giants atop the NL West.<\/p>\n How Does Michael Kopech\u2019s Injury Affect Dodgers?<\/strong><\/p>\n Kopech was a revelation out of the Dodgers\u2019 bullpen in 2024, recording a 1.13 ERA and six saves in 24 innings after being acquired from the Chicago White Sox in a three-team deal at the trade deadline.<\/p>\n He also tossed nine innings in the playoffs, allowing three runs while striking out 10, as the Dodgers captured their first World Series title since 2020.<\/p>\n In January, the Dodgers avoided salary arbitration with Kopech by agreeing to a one-year, $5.2 million contract.<\/p>\n Kopech was projected to have a big role at the back of the Dodgers\u2019 bullpen, alongside Phillips and free-agent additions Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates. But injuries have ravaged the staff, causing constant turnover.<\/p>\n Other pitchers currently on the 60-day IL include Brusdar Graterol, River Ryan, Gavin Stone and Blake Treinen.<\/p>\n Even with some pitchers returning, the Dodgers will presumably look for reinforcements before July 31 as they gear up for another run at a World Series. ESPN\u2019s David Schoenfield recently suggested that Los Angeles could pursue a pitcher such as Seth Lugo to help provide depth.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Another day, another blow to the Los Angeles\u2019 Dodgers\u2019 duct-taped pitching staff. Reliever Michael Kopech underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his troublesome right knee,… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":78312,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-78311","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\n