The loss of Michael Kopech to Tommy John surgery left a hole in the White Sox rotation that’s impossible to fill.
This was supposed to be the year Kopech took over as staff ace, the focal point of a marketing campaign and one of the main drawing cards of the rebuild.
Instead the Sox will have to hope returning starters Carlos Rodon, Reynaldo Lopez and Lucas Giolito all take a step forward, and newcomer Ivan Nova fills the James Shields’ role as innings-eater and pitcher whisperer.