Red Sox pitching prospect breaks hand in altercation with teammate
Boston Red Sox pitching prospect Michael Kopech fractured his right hand in an altercation with a teammate, reports WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford.
Kopech, who sustained the injury over the weekend, was seen wearing a cast on his throwing hand at Red Sox spring training in Fort Myers, Fla. on Tuesday. It is unknown how much time he will miss.
“It was stupid,” general manager Mike Hazen said. “He’s going to have to grow up, obviously, with the things that have happened so far. He’s got a long road to go to get to the big leagues. He obviously has a ton of potential. He’s got a long way to go. These types of things, you don’t want to put more barriers in front of you than playing professional baseball already presents you.”
The 19-year-old was suspended for 50 games last season after testing positive for the stimulant Oxilofrine.
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Kopech, Boston’s first round pick in the 2014 draft, posted a 2.63 ERA in 15 starts at Single-A Greenville. He struck out 70 and walked 27 in 65 innings, while also pitching in the Instructional League after the minor league season.
