Garrett Crochet gave up a lead-off double and loaded the bases in the 9th inning before he was pulled. With 3 on and no outs, Hendriks entered the game and struck out all 3 batters he saw to win the game.
The Chicago White Sox have seen enough injuries to their young stars this season. They don't need another one.
But fans were left holding their collective breath as Michael Kopech hobbled off the field at the conclusion of the top of the seventh inning Wednesday afternoon.
The flame-thrower, who missed the last two seasons — 2019 while recovering from Tommy John surgery and 2020 due to personal reasons — fell on the mound after delivering the final pitch of the inning, which was popped up and caught. He limped off the field and into the dugout, something apparently bothering some part of his leg.
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It's very much the last thing anyone wanted to see happen to Kopech after he worked his way back from such a long injury layoff. His initial arrival on the South Side immediately interrupted by the injury that necessitated the surgery, his being a regular contributor for the White Sox has been a long time coming.
And he's been excellent since becoming just that this season, a dangerous weapon out of the bullpen and an effective spot starter who has shown why the White Sox are so bullish on his long-term future as a member of the starting rotation.
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Already without outfielders and middle-of-the-order bats Eloy Jiménez and Luis Robert for months, the White Sox can hardly afford any more significant injuries as they continue to pursue their championship-level goals in 2021.
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