BOSTON — White Sox right-hander Michael Kopech underwent surgery Friday to remove a cyst from his right knee and was put on the 15-day injured list, ending his season with nine games left.
The Sox recalled right-hander Yohan Ramirez from Triple-A Charlotte.
Dr. Nikhil Verma, the Sox’ lead team doctor, performed Kopech’s surgery at Rush Oak Brook Surgery Center. Full recovery time is expected to be between six and eight weeks. Kopech, 27, had a torn meniscus repaired on the same knee at the end of last season.
There had been no visible indications he was dealing with a knee issue, but manager Pedro Grifol said he was bothered by it throughout the season.
“It definitely affected him,” Grifol said. “To what extent, not real sure. Only he knows that.”
Kopech struggled this year with a 5-12 record and 5.43 ERA. He was moved to the bullpen this month, making three relief appearances and a one-inning start as an opener against the Nationals on Wednesday. He allowed at least one run in each of those appearances.
“It was just time to get him back on the mound, let him start a game and finish off on a good note, and then go get [the cyst issue] fixed to make sure he has a good offseason,” Grifol said.
He added that Kopech could have future value as a starter or reliever but will be viewed as a starter going into 2024 “until it’s time to not view him as one.”
“I saw one of the best pitchers in baseball for a while, and then I saw a guy who was battling through some mechanical stuff and physical stuff and mental stuff, and then I saw him finish OK,” Grifol said. “Hopefully he can get into the offseason right now and put it all together and come back. We need him. We’re counting on him.”
Ramirez, 28, posted a 3.67 ERA in 26 relief appearances over three stints with the Pirates before the Sox claimed him off waivers Sept. 5.
Baseball operations hires announced
The Sox formally announced they’ve added Josh Barfield as assistant general manager, Brian Bannister as senior advisor to pitching and Gene Watson as director of player personnel. The hires were first reported Tuesday.
“Josh is a real rising front-office star, Brian is recognized as one of the top pitching minds in the game and Gene is acknowledged as one of the best talent evaluators in baseball,” general manager Chris Getz said. “I am excited for them to get started working together as we define our new vision for the future and create a path to success for the White Sox organization.”
Fall league fellas
Eight Sox prospects, including shortstop Colson Montgomery, who’s listed at No. 17 on MLB Pipeline’s prospects list, are set to play in the Arizona Fall League. Rosters announced Friday have Montgomery, third baseman Bryan Ramos, center fielder Jacob Burke and pitchers Jake Eder, Adisyn Coffey, Josimar Cousin, Jordan Leasure and Fraser Ellard playing for the Glendale Desert Dogs.
This and that
Dylan Cease, the Sox’ starter Saturday, is 0-1 with a 9.98 ERA in four career starts against the Red Sox. The Sox haven’t won a road series since Aug. 4-6 at Cleveland.
• Tim Anderson entered Friday with 1,018 hits, tied with Lance Johnson for 27th on the Sox’ all-time hits list in his eighth season.
Daryl Van Schouwen
