Mike Vasil was cruising through his final tune-up start of Spring Training when disaster struck.
After holding a vaunted Los Angeles Dodgers lineup scoreless through 3.2 innings on Saturday, Vasil felt like something was off. After a quick mound visit, he walked off the field with trainers, with what was described as right elbow soreness.
On Tuesday, it was revealed that Vasil will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery, a crushing blow for a Chicago White Sox pitching staff that blew an MLB-worst 50 leads last season, six of which came in the ninth inning.
The 25-year-old right-hander emerged as one of the White Sox most effective relievers last season, posting a 2.50 ERA across 101 innings. His efforts helped stabilize a White Sox bullpen that logged more innings than any team in baseball.
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What made Vasil particularly valuable was his versatility. He limited opponents to a .213 batting average in high leverage situations, recorded four saves, and could be stretched out over multiple innings, making three starts as an opener.
He was rewarded for his efforts by being given a chance to compete for a spot in the White Sox starting rotation. But Vasil’s impact extended far beyond the diamond so much so that his teammates made an unusual request.
Vasil’s Clubhouse Impact
According to CHSN’s Chuck Garfein, players went to Will Venable asking if Vasil could still travel with the team this season, because he was such an important figure in the clubhouse, a request that Venable signed off on.
Venable has previously described Vasil as a vocal leader who helps keep the clubhouse loose. From the outside looking in, it was easy to see why.
Vasil credited much of his success to a Batman mask hanging in his locker, which he was seen sporting several times in the dugout this season. While Vasil is a fan of the Dark Knight, he also used the mask as motivation for a dual identity when his ultracompetitive nature comes out on the field. That ultra-competitive edge showed up frequently, with Vasil displaying fiery emotion after escaping jams or delivering big outs for the White Sox.
While Vasil won’t be able to contribute on the mound this season, he is looking to help continue building a winning culture on the South Side.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that I’m going to do everything I can to contribute to this team. In the clubhouse, if guys need it off the field, just anything I can do. It’s still about this season, it’s still about the guys,” Vasil said during a media scrum on Tuesday. “For me, what sucks is I can’t be a part of it, but you know it’s bigger than just one injury, it’s about the entire roster and what we are creating here.”
Signs Of Progress
While Vasil’s injury is a significant setback for the White Sox pitching staff, there are still a few silver linings.
While Vasil’s injury marks a significant setback for the White Sox pitching staff, there are some silver linings. The reports of strong clubhouse camaraderie mark a stark contrast to some of the horror stories that surfaced late in the White Sox last rebuild — including a report that several veterans had to be persuaded to attend closer Liam Hendriks’ “welcome back” news conference ahead of his return from cancer.
It’s also a refreshing sign that Venable and the organization are open to player input, from installing bidets in the clubhouse to accommodate free agent signing Munetaka Murakami, to allowing Vasil to continue traveling with the team.
It may seem minor in the grand scheme, but given the White Sox’s reputation around the league, having players who genuinely want to play for their manager and the organization is a notable shift from what was lacking when Pedro Grifol was at the helm.
Vasil is set to undergo surgery on April 2, in Arlington, Texas, which will help repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament and remove bone chips in his right elbow.
