GM Rick Hahn said Kopech (elbow) is healthy but is away from the team to address a personal matter, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 24-year-old missed last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery in September 2018, but it appears he's now fully healthy. It's unclear when Kopech is expected to join his teammates at summer training or what role he'll have during the shortened season.

The White Sox announced Monday that Kopech (elbow) will be included as part of the team's 60-man roster pool.

EDGE Analysis

Chicago has yet to decide on Kopech's role entering the restarted season all of 2019 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but his inclusion in the roster pool at least officially makes him an option for the Pale Hose. Though Kopech was initially expected to be sidelined until late May or early June while recovering from surgery, he may be close to 100 percent health in the wake of baseball's four-month hiatus. The extended break should also allow Carlos Rodon (elbow) to be nearly ready to go when the season begins, which could provide the White Sox with more reason to exercise caution with Kopech's usage coming off injury. If that's the case, Kopech may make the most sense for the White Sox as a multi-inning reliever or opening pitcher rather than a traditional starter.

Kopech (elbow) is expected to be with the White Sox when the MLB season resumes, but his role is not yet defined, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

In a normal 162-game season, Kopech would have thrown innings in the minors and joined the White Sox by now. He was impressive during a one-inning stint in spring training, when six of his pitches hit 100 MPH. The White Sox already have five starters lined up for the rotation, but they will want to give Kopech the necessary work to continue his trajectory toward becoming an ace. That means the right-hander could be used as an opener or paired with other starters that are not ready to pitch deep into games.

Kopech, who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, is "on schedule" for a likely return in late May or early June, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Prior to MLB's shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, all signs pointed to Kopech opening the year at Triple-A Charlotte, where he would throw innings against live batters before joining the White Sox's rotation in June. It's unclear if that is still the plan if baseball is able to resume by June 1 following a brief two-to-three week ramp-up.

The White Sox optioned Kopech to Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kopech is healthy again after missing the entire 2019 season following Tommy John surgery, but the White Sox likely want to see their top pitching prospect build up his pitch count and refine his command at Triple-A for at least a few starts before returning him into the big-league rotation. The hard-throwing righty made just one appearance in Cactus League play before the MLB suspended its season, striking out one over a perfect inning.

Kopech threw a perfect inning in Tuesday's spring game against the Rangers, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

This was Kopech's first appearance in a competitive environment since late 2018, when he underwent Tommy John elbow surgery. He was amped up for the outing as six of his 11 pitches registered triple digits on the radar gun. One scout on hand said the right-hander was impressive and noted the sharpness of the breaking stuff. With his highly anticipated return out of the way, Kopech can turn toward ramping up his pitches and innings in preparation for an eventual return to Chicago's rotation. May or June is the best estimate for when he will be ready to toe the rubber for the White Sox.

Kopech (elbow) will start Tuesday's game against the Rangers, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

This will mark Kopech's first game pitched since Sept. 5, 2018, against the Tigers. A day later, he was diagnosed with a torn right ulnar collateral ligament and underwent Tommy John surgery soon thereafter. The right-hander has thrown bullpen sessions and batting practice on backfields this spring, featuring his upper 90s fastball. Kopech intends to make three spring starts but won't break camp with the team. He's targeting a May or June return to the White Sox.

Kopech (elbow) threw a live batting practice session Friday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kopech has reportedly been impressing throughout camp as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery, a procedure he underwent back in September of 2018. It looks as though he'll be ready for game action at the start of the regular season, though the young righty has said that he expects that action to come in the minors.

Kopech (elbow) threw a side session Wednesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kopech is returning from Tommy John surgery and, as such, the White Sox will have his innings total closely monitored in 2020. The right-hander is expected to begin the season at Triple-A Charlotte.

Kopech (elbow) assumes he'll be starting the season at Triple-A Charlotte, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

''I assume that's kind of what everyone is thinking, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't probably thinking the same thing,'' Kopech said. ''But I'm still going to give myself that chance [to make the big-league rotation] if it presents itself." Kopech, who underwent Tommy John elbow surgery in September of 2018, was able to throw a couple of Instructional League games toward the end of 2019, but the White Sox are unlikely to push him. Chicago currently has a legitimate five-man rotation of Lucas Giolito, Dallas Keuchel, Reynaldo Lopez, Dylan Cease and Gio Gonzalez to open the regular season.