Kopech (hand) allowed four hits and four walks, but no runs, in 4.1 innings in his season debut for short-season Lowell on Friday, Ryan Hannable of WEEI.com reports. "It was obviously big getting out there in front of a crowd under the lights," Kopech said. "I was a little worked up in the first couple of innings. Kind of had to settle down. Didn't have the stuff I wanted to have, but it's the first outing back."

EDGE Analysis

It was an encouraging first night out for Kopech, who suffered a fractured hand during spring training, though signs of rust were evident. Just 42 of his 78 pitches were strikes and he allowed the first batter to reach in his first four innings. The 2014 first-round draft pick was a bit pumped, hitting the high-90s with his fastball in the first inning, but dropped down to the low-to-mid 90s thereafter. The organization decided to have him throw in the atmosphere of a stadium under the lights, rather than in the low-pressure environment of extended spring training. It remains to be seen how long he stays in Lowell, but it shouldn't be too long.

Kopech (hand) will start for Short Season Lowell on Friday, Alex Speier of the Boston Globe reports. The 20-year-old is coming back from a fractured hand he sustained while fighting with a teammate in spring training.

EDGE Analysis

Kopech's hand injury came on the heels of a 50-game suspension at the end of last season for testing positive for a banned substance, so he's missed nearly a year of development time because of his off-the-field behavior. Through it all, the organization has supported the right-hander, who is saying all the right things about being more mature and expressing gratitude to the organization for sticking by him. The Texas native, who possesses a mid-90s fastball, a swing-and-miss slider, and an improving changeup, should stay too long in Lowell.

Kopech (hand) appeared in an extended spring training game for the first time Monday, throwing two scoreless innings and striking out two, the Boston Globe reports. The right-hander's fastball hit 99 mph.

EDGE Analysis

Kopech, who broke his right hand punching a teammate in spring training, in time will be assigned to a minor league team, mostly likely Low-A Greenville.

Kopech (hand) began throwing two weeks ago, but his activity is still limited to playing catch, WEEI.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kopech, who broke his hand during an altercation with a teammate in spring training, had been put on a 3-to-6 week timetable, but he's not going to hit that. There's presently no indication when he can start pitching in an extended spring training, let alone get out of Florida.