White Sox Pitcher Undergoes Knee Surgery

It's been an injury-plagued career for the 26-year-old Chicago White Sox starter—to say the least. Already on the IL with right shoulder inflammation, right-hander Michael Kopech has also now undergone knee surgery for a problem that's been ongoing this season.

White Sox announced Michael Kopech underwent surgery on Thursday on his right knee. Multiple sources told The Athletic that it was to address a meniscus tear. He is expected to be ready for spring training without limitations

— James Fegan (@JRFegan) October 2, 2022

The knee surgery was to repair a meniscus tear, which is quite likely related to the knee problem he had back in June, followed by the knee strain he suffered in August as a result of the unfortunate incident where his manager, Tony La Russa, carelessly left him in to start a game despite clearly being injured during the pregame warmups. 

The White Sox say that by having the surgery now, Kopech should be fully healthy for spring training. 

The pitcher's injury history is quite lengthy, starting with Tommy John surgery after his rookie season in 2018. That March 2019 surgery wiped out that season as well as the 2020 season for him. He was used mostly as a reliever in 2021. 

He got off to a hot start this season, his first full year as a starter, with a 1.29 ERA through his first eight starts through the end of May. Starting when his knee began bothering him in June, and all the way through August , however, it was much more of a struggle, with an ERA hovering around 5. 

Overall, he finishes the season with a 3.54 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP and a troubling 105:57 K/BB ratio. 

Hopefully, he comes back next year completely healthy, and ready to get off to another great start to the season. 

Photo: Peter Aiken-USA TODAY Sports