Michael Kopech has endured a difficult 2023 season, but the Chicago White Sox won't consider moving him to the bullpen down the stretch or next year.

Over 120 innings, Kopech has a 4.95 ERA and 122 strikeouts. Since he landed on the injured list with shoulder inflammation prior to the All-Star break, he has averaged just over four innings a start while allowing more earned runs (27) and walks (31) than strikeouts (25) in eight starts.

"Him not being a starter is not anywhere close to what we're thinking and anywhere close to what he should be thinking," manager Pedro Grifol said, "...even the other day, he was able to gain a little bit of confidence as the outing went on, he was up to 98. The potential's there."

Grifol argued that the key to Kopech finding success as a starter figures to be on the mental side of the game, saying that "It's his responsibility and ours to come together to get that mental side right."