One of the White Sox’ most valuable pitchers, RHP Mike Vasil, left his spring training start with elbow soreness, raising concerns about a potential long-term injury.
View More
Video Transcript
All right, it’s the White Sox Roundtable.
All right, it’s the White Sox Roundtable.
Sam Phelan with you here.
Sam Phelan with you here.
Devastating news for the White Sox, this week.
Devastating news for the White Sox, this week.
Mike Vassal, injured right elbow, pain, discomfort, whatever you wanna call it.
Mike Vassal, injured right elbow, pain, discomfort, whatever you wanna call it.
Either way, scary and could seriously impact the White Sox in two thousand and twenty-six.
Either way, scary and could seriously impact the White Sox in two thousand and twenty-six.
Vassal was one of the team’s most valuable players in two thousand twenty-five.
Vassal was one of the team’s most valuable players in two thousand twenty-five.
According to FanGraphs data for win probability added, Vassal led the team last season.
According to FanGraphs data for win probability added, Vassal led the team last season.
One hundred and one innings out of the bullpen, two-five-O ERA, two point nine bWAR.
One hundred and one innings out of the bullpen, two-five-O ERA, two point nine bWAR.
just a tremendous rookie season for a guy that was claimed on waivers just days before opening day.
just a tremendous rookie season for a guy that was claimed on waivers just days before opening day.
Figured to be part of what the White Sox are building for a long time, huge part of twenty twenty-six and beyond.
Figured to be part of what the White Sox are building for a long time, huge part of twenty twenty-six and beyond.
The White Sox, however, maybe got a little bit greedy.
The White Sox, however, maybe got a little bit greedy.
They, tried to stretch Vassal out as a starting pitcher this spring.
They, tried to stretch Vassal out as a starting pitcher this spring.
He came into camp as one of ten-plus options to make the White Sox rotation.
He came into camp as one of ten-plus options to make the White Sox rotation.
Was pitching pretty well.
Was pitching pretty well.
Eleven innings pitched, nine strikeouts, one point six-four ERA in Cactus League play, but now maybe it costs them dearly.
Eleven innings pitched, nine strikeouts, one point six-four ERA in Cactus League play, but now maybe it costs them dearly.
as they attempted to stretch Vassal out during his spring training start on Saturday, he was pulled from the game in the fourth inning, leaving with trainers.
as they attempted to stretch Vassal out during his spring training start on Saturday, he was pulled from the game in the fourth inning, leaving with trainers.
Right elbow soreness.
Right elbow soreness.
Vassal said this in the locker room on Sunday, “Something just didn’t feel right, and anytime with an elbow, you just wanna be precautionary this time of year.
Vassal said this in the locker room on Sunday, “Something just didn’t feel right, and anytime with an elbow, you just wanna be precautionary this time of year.
I didn’t feel like my usual self.”
I didn’t feel like my usual self.”
The White Sox have been doing tests, MRIs, more evaluations, and more information to come out.
The White Sox have been doing tests, MRIs, more evaluations, and more information to come out.
They have not learned any further details at this time, but of course, we have to fear the worst.
They have not learned any further details at this time, but of course, we have to fear the worst.
Tommy John surgery, maybe?
Tommy John surgery, maybe?
I don’t think that’s negative, too negative or unfair at this time of year given the diagnosis and the early, vibe around Vassal’s injury.
I don’t think that’s negative, too negative or unfair at this time of year given the diagnosis and the early, vibe around Vassal’s injury.
The White Sox have seen this happen recently.
The White Sox have seen this happen recently.
Mason Adams, Prelander Berroa last spring training went down with elbow injuries that required Tommy John, and now it appears like one of the most valuable players on the White Sox roster could miss some significant time.
Mason Adams, Prelander Berroa last spring training went down with elbow injuries that required Tommy John, and now it appears like one of the most valuable players on the White Sox roster could miss some significant time.
If he does have Tommy John, it’ll be the entire season and some of next year for Vassal.
If he does have Tommy John, it’ll be the entire season and some of next year for Vassal.
A huge, huge blow coming right on the heels of Kyle Teal getting a grade two hamstring strain that will keep him out for four to six weeks, right on the heels of Brooks Baldwin also dealing with some arm issues that will sideline him possibly to begin the regular season.
A huge, huge blow coming right on the heels of Kyle Teal getting a grade two hamstring strain that will keep him out for four to six weeks, right on the heels of Brooks Baldwin also dealing with some arm issues that will sideline him possibly to begin the regular season.
Just blow after blow, and injuries are inevitable.
Just blow after blow, and injuries are inevitable.
every team is having injuries this time of year.
every team is having injuries this time of year.
You can’t really avoid it.
You can’t really avoid it.
But the White Sox certainly losing some of their key young pieces that you’d like to see be part of this rebuild moving forward.
But the White Sox certainly losing some of their key young pieces that you’d like to see be part of this rebuild moving forward.
and that is a big blow to not only the season, but to, the vibes for the fan base heading into twenty twenty-six.
and that is a big blow to not only the season, but to, the vibes for the fan base heading into twenty twenty-six.