Kopech Needs Tommy John Surgery [VIDEO]
Michael Kopech, the flame throwing young pitcher the Red Sox gave up in the trade for Chris Sale, now needs Tommy John surgery.
He's done for this season and likely all of 2019.
The 22-year-old Kopech had been pitching well for the Chicago White Sox but gave up four home runs to the Tigers Wednesday night. His velocity was down. An exam Friday showed the UCL tear.
Kopech and Yoan Moncada were the key players the Sox gave up to get Sale. Chicago also got OF Luis Basabe and P Victor Diaz in that deal in 2016.
Moncada is Chicago's starting second baseman and hitting .222 with 17 HRs and 56 RBI. He has also struck out 191 times.
Basabe is playing with the White Sox Class A minor league team and Diaz hasn't pitched much in the minors this year because of shoulder issues.
NOTE: The Red Sox say Chris Sale will pitch Tuesday night vs Toronto. As he comes off shoulder issues of his own, Sale will throw about 40 pitches in his first game off the DL.