Red Sox prospect Michael Kopech breaks hand in fight with teammate

Red Sox pitching prospect and 2014 first-round draft pick Michael Kopech fractured his pitching hand while fighting with a teammate, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Kopech was previously suspended 50 games last season for the use of a stimulant, so the Red Sox are understandably frustrated by the 19-year-old right-hander’s behavior.

Here’s what general manager Mike Hazen said in announcing the injury:

It was stupid. He’s going to have to grow up, obviously, with the things that have happened so far. He’s got a long road to go to get to the big leagues. He obviously has a ton of potential. He’s got a long way to go. These types of things, you don’t want to put more barriers in front of you than playing professional baseball already presents you.

If nothing else, anyone who’s ever watched “Bull Durham” knows the key to any pitcher getting into a fight is to throw punches with your non-pitching hand. Nuke LaLoosh even seemed to grasp that concept.

Kopech spent last season at low Single-A and threw just 65 innings before being suspended, so he’s years from entering the Red Sox’s plans even if things go well. And they aren’t, to say the least.

No word yet on his expected recovery timetable, but Kopech is wearing a cast and won’t be back on the mound anytime soon. Again.

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