Bad luck continues to surround the Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitching bench as the team has just officially announced: Michael Kopech has been placed on the 60-day Injured List. This news not only shocked the locker room but also made experts worry about the defensive ability that has been severely eroded throughout the season.
Kopech, who was brought in by the Dodgers as a strategic card to strengthen the bullpen, has shown potential with a series of high-velocity and powerful throws. However, recent signs of muscle soreness and shoulder injuries have made the coaching staff cautious. After medical examination, the team had no choice but to place him on the 60-day IL list — almost synonymous with losing him for most of the rest of the season.
According to reports from ESPN and The Athletic, Kopech is having problems with his throwing shoulder – the most important part for a pitcher like him. Doctors are still evaluating him, but the possibility of him returning this season is very low.
The loss of Kopech is just the tip of the iceberg. Previously, the Dodgers had to deal with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw all missing due to injuries of varying degrees. This forced the coaching staff to put inexperienced young pitchers in the starting lineup – something they do not want in this stressful sprint stage.
According to analysis from MLB Network, the Dodgers are ranked 20th in the entire league in bullpen efficiency (bullpen ERA: 4.32) – the lowest since 2018. Without timely additions from the transfer market or internal breakouts, the prospect of running out of steam at the end of the season is completely possible.
Given the high-risk nature of the shoulder injury, the medical team will prioritize Kopech’s long-term recovery over rushing him back. However, he can still play a role in the team’s spirit, and if he recovers on schedule, he could return in the postseason – a slim but not impossible hope.
Michael Kopech, the new hope of the Dodgers bullpen, has been forced to miss the long term with a shoulder injury, putting the team in an extremely fragile position. With other pillars still unable to return, the Dodgers will face a difficult problem in maintaining their competitive position in MLB 2025.