White Sox hoping Kopech will add some bite to bullpen
Michael Kopech never got it going last season, and when his struggles continued in spring training, the White Sox moved him from the starting rotation to the bullpen late last week.
“A desire to go deeper into games and being more efficient is something that we we're aiming for,” general manager Chris Getz said. “So now this transition, we hope the smaller bite of the apple, so to speak, in reliever outings is going to be something that's easier to accomplish for Michael and be better for the White Sox.”
After giving up 7 runs (6 earned) on 6 hits (2 home runs) and 6 walks in 7 innings over three Cactus League starts, Kopech made his first relief appearance Saturday and pitched a 1-2-3 inning.
The right-hander followed up with another scoreless inning in Wednesday's exhibition game against the Reds.
Last season, Kopech was 5-12 with a 5.43 ERA. He's not thrilled to change roles, but the numbers don't lie.
“It's not my first choice where I want to be,” Kopech told reporters. “I like starting, but I've had success in (the bullpen). Ultimately, we are looking at what's best for the team this year. If I can help us win games in the back of the game, I'm excited to do that.”
Much like the starting rotation, there are multiple question marks in the Sox's bullpen.
Kopech has one of the eight expected relief jobs, but Garrett Crochet is no longer in the bullpen. The big left-hander is in the starting rotation and he'll be on the mound in next Thursday's season opener against the Tigers.
As for the other spots, Getz brought in a large group of lower-priced veterans that are still competing for jobs.
“We’ve got a lot of quality arms,” Getz said. “Whether it be our starters or our bullpen, time will tell on what roles, but I think there’s some versatility and potential within the group.”
John Brebbia was the most notable off-season addition.
After going 3-5 with a 3.99 ERA in 40 games (10 starts) with the Giants last year while missing over two months with a lat strain, the 33-year-old righty signed a one-year, $5.5 million deal with the White Sox in late January.
A calf injury has sidelined Brebbia for most of spring training, but he pitched an inning in a minor-league game Monday.
With Brebbia unlikely to be ready for the regular season, Tim Hill, 40-year-old Jesse Chavez, Deivi Garcia, Dominic Leone, Tanner Banks and rookie Jordan Leasure look to have secured spots in the bullpen.
The Sox also added Steven Wilson from the Padres in last week's Dylan Cease trade.
Over 52 games with San Diego last season, the 29-year-old righty was 1-2 with a 3.91 ERA.
The closer's role is still TBA.
With his big arm Kopech could emerge as the choice to pitch the ninth inning.
“He has the skillset to do anything,” manager Pedro Grifol said. “He’s a big, strong, physical guy with plus-plus stuff. We’ll see where this goes. This could be really good for us and him or it could be a step for him to get back to where he wants to be down the road.”