SAN DIEGO — Right-hander Michael Kopech had surgery Thursday to address an issue with the meniscus in his right knee, a team spokesman said Saturday before the White Sox’ 5-2 loss to the Padres at Petco Park.
A source confirmed the surgery, which was performed in Los Angeles, was for a meniscus tear. The Sox said Kopech will be ready for spring training without limitations. He has joined the team in San Diego.
Kopech landed on the injured list Sept. 17 with right shoulder inflammation but has dealt with issues in both knees, including a cyst in the right one, which general manager Rick Hahn said last week would be removed during the offseason. The cyst was addressed during the surgery and is not expected to be an issue now.
Kopech left a start against the Rangers after 13 pitches on June 12 after he felt a pop in the left knee, but after having fluid drained, he was pitching again seven days later. On Aug. 23, he went on the injured list with a strained left knee.
Kopech pitched a career-high 119‰ innings, going 5-9 with a 3.54 ERA in his first season as a starter.
Cease fire
Dylan Cease’s final start of a Cy Young Award-caliber season did not end well. Trying to build a portfolio that won’t match Justin Verlander’s, Cease allowed four runs in five-plus innings against the Padres, who lowered their magic number for the postseason to one.
Cease allowed Juan Soto’s 27th home run in the first inning, then strung four scoreless innings before allowing a two-run homer to Jake Cronenworth that broke a 1-1 tie in the sixth. Cease walked Brandon Drury and Josh Bell before getting pulled at 104 pitches.
Cease’s ERA finished at 2.20 after entering at 2.06, the second-best mark in the majors behind Verlander. He had his fifth strikeout of the game and his career-high 227th of the season against Austin Nola in the fifth. He allowed five hits and walked four, stopping at a career-high 184 innings.
“He’s been so consistent,” acting manager Miguel Cairo said. “He came with a purpose to get better and to be good and to be an elite pitcher, and that’s what he has been doing.
“He always comes with a challenge; he always comes through.”
Verlander, 39, is 17-4 with a 1.80 ERA.
Love for Jose
Jose Abreu had a rare night off. If he doesn’t return next year, the 35-year-old first baseman could have four games left in a Sox uniform. He’ll be a free agent after the season.
“I know, man; I really hope they sign him back,” Cairo said. “I hope he gets to finish his career here, but you know how it is. It’s a business. You don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Upcoming
The Sox (78-80) must win three of their last four games to finish at .500. After Lance Lynn starts the series finale against San Diego on Sunday, Johnny Cueto (Monday), Lucas Giolito (Tuesday) and Davis Martin (Wednesday) will make the last three starts of the season against the Twins at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Elvis, home run sighting
Elvis Andrus’ leadoff homer in the first against Mike Clevinger was the Sox’ second in the last five games. Andrus had three of the Sox’ six hits.
