Chicago White Sox Lose Former Top Prospect to Season-Ending Knee Surgery

The season is over for Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Michael Kopech.

The White put out on social media that he underwent knee surgery on Friday.

Kopech underwent successful surgery this morning to remove a cyst from his right knee in a procedure performed at Rush Oak Brook Surgery Center by Dr. Nikhil Verma, White Sox lead team doctor. Full recovery time is expected to take between 6-8 weeks.

Kopech underwent successful surgery this morning to remove a cyst from his right knee in a procedure performed at Rush Oak Brook Surgery Center by Dr. Nikhil Verma, White Sox lead team doctor. Full recovery time is expected to take between 6-8 weeks.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) September 22, 2023

The procedure ends a disappointing campaign for the right-hander, who made 30 appearances (27 starts), going 5-12 with a 5.43 ERA. He struck out 134 batters in 129.1 innings and still possesses elite "stuff," but wasn't able to harness it this year.

He led the league in walks with 91 this year and also allowed 29 home runs.

Overall, he's 15-25 for his career with a 4.33 ERA. He was acquired before the 2017 season from the Boston Red Sox in the trade that sent Chris Sale to Boston. Kopech came over with Yoan Moncada in that deal and was once one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball.

This injury is just another disappointment for the White Sox this year, who are among the biggest flops in the entire league. Chicago enters play on Friday at 58-95 and is solely motivated by trying to avoid 100 losses.

They have the fourth-worst record in all of baseball and traded away several key veterans at the trade deadline.

The White Sox will take on the Red Sox on Friday night at Fenway Park.

First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. ET.

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