White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech is scheduled to take the next step in his recovery from Tommy John elbow surgery when he pitches against the Rangers in a Cactus League game Tuesday at Camelback Ranch.
Kopech, the organization’s No. 3 prospect who missed all of 2019 while recovering, has thrown bullpen sessions and live batting practice previously this spring.
“It’s exciting,” Kopech said Sunday. “It’s been a long time coming for me. I’ve had a chance to pitch a little bit since (the surgery) but not in a truly competitive situation. So the chance to get back out there and compete means a lot.”
As he neared a return to live competition, Kopech said he “started to feel a little more anxious, a little more excited, a little more worked up — in a good way, though, just because I hadn’t been out there in so long.”
More Top Picks Best Intel Core Laptops
“I’ve been a normal guy all camp. I just haven’t pitched as much,” he said. “I feel like a part of the team. Just now actually get to really feel like it.”
Sox manager Rick Renteria said the plan is for Kopech to pitch one inning.
“He looks really, really good,” Renteria said. “He’s made a lot of progress, healthy, really throwing the ball well. The work has been going well, and we’ll be able to see him for an inning and see how it goes.
“I’m extremely happy for him. Everybody is. All the guys that … have an injury that takes you out of the mix for an extended period of time, you feel for them. They’ve worked very, very hard to … be a part of it.”
Kopech made four starts for the Sox in 2018 after they called him up from Triple-A Charlotte in August. He allowed only one run in 11 innings over his first three starts but gave up seven runs on nine hits, including four home runs, in 3? innings on Sept. 5. He was diagnosed with a torn right ulnar collateral ligament the next day and underwent surgery Sept. 18.
Kopech acknowledged the likelihood of nerves Tuesday. His main focus is on having fun.
“I want to throw my pitches,” he said, “I want to compete … and I want to enjoy playing baseball again.”
He said he’ll return to the mound with a different mindset.
“Then, the type of pitcher I was was based off velocity,” Kopech said. “I had secondary stuff, but it was kind of hit or miss. But I always had a good fastball.
“Now I’m comfortable throwing the ball the way I’m going to throw (it). I’m going to throw hard just because that’s who I am and I have the ability to throw hard. But more so I’m focused on pitching rather than throwing. I’ll probably still have the velocity that I want, but I’m (able) to command the plate a lot now.”
He will also feature a slider he has developed further.
“I’ve made my slider a better pitch,” Kopech said. “I’ve always kind of leaned on my slider as well, but it’s a better pitch than it has been before.”
That’s not the only change.
“It’s the ability to control my emotions and repeat mechanics a little bit better,” Kopech said. “I was pretty herky-jerky in the past, and not that I have perfect mechanics now, but I’ve slowed everything down. I’m working as one motion rather than a bunch of parts moving in and out.
“For the most part, I have the same repertoire of pitches and I still have the fire of a competitor in me. But it’s just a little bit better.”