GLENDALE, Ariz. — A Chicago White Sox staff member passed along a message that stuck with Mike Vasil.
“‘Sometimes good players are one injury away from being great players,’” Vasil recalled hearing.
Vasil is keeping that in mind after the Sox announced on Tuesday that the right-hander will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery in the coming weeks.
“I think I’m going to learn a lot about myself in this process,” Vasil said Tuesday at Camelback Ranch. “And when I come back, if I’m better than ever, I wouldn’t be shocked. I’m the type of guy sometimes, when I have a lot of time off from something, it can completely reset.
“I actually just get better by watching. I’ve always been that type of person, I’m a very visual learner. So I’m going to do everything I can to come back better than I’ve ever been.”
Vasil knew something was off when he exited Saturday’s Cactus League game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth inning with right elbow soreness.
Chicago White Sox pitcher Mike Vasil pitches during the first inning in a Cactus League game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Camelback Ranch on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Glendale, Ariz. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
“Just the pull that I had never really felt before,” Vasil said. “But at the same time, I was very optimistic, like, ‘Oh, it could be something that was upset in there.’ I was honestly a little even shocked when I heard the news, but then the next day when I woke up, I could tell there was something that was seriously off.”
Vasil said the procedure, to be performed by Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, Texas, is scheduled for April 2.
“So in my mind, April 2, 2027,” Vasil said of a timeline goal. “Whether that’s going to happen, I don’t know. I’m going to do everything in my power to make it as speedy and also take the precautionary measures.
“Because when I look at my career, this is something that is very early compared to, I’m not by any means towards the end of it. For me, I’m going to do everything that I can to come back as quick as possible, but as safe as possible.”
Vasil has appreciated the support from teammates after hearing the news.
“These guys are all here to help,” Vasil said. “And that speaks volumes about them, too.”
Vasil, who turns 26 on Thursday, helped the Sox in a variety of roles as a rookie in 2025.
He went 5-3 with a 2.50 ERA and four saves in 47 appearances (three starts) last season. Vasil had 82 strikeouts and 52 walks in 101 innings after the Sox claimed him off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays on March 23. The Philadelphia Phillies had selected Vasil in the Rule 5 draft from the New York Mets in December 2024, then traded him to the Rays later that day for cash considerations.
He led major-league relievers with 25 appearances of at least two innings.
Vasil was stretched out this spring while competing for a spot in the starting rotation. He had a 1.64 ERA in four outings (two starts), allowing two runs and nine hits in 11 innings.
“(He) made a huge impact on this group and contributes to make an impact in the clubhouse,” manager Will Venable said. “One of the team leaders, one of the glue guys that really bridges all different types of guys that we have in the clubhouse, on staff too. That will be missed.
“On the field, we asked him to do a lot of different stuff. He was impactful in a lot of different roles for us, coming out of the ’pen, starting games. It’s a big blow to everyone, but most importantly we want to make sure (Vasil) is in a good frame of mind, and he seems to be taking the news well, and he’ll come back stronger than ever.”
Vasil hopes to aid in the clubhouse throughout the season in any way that he can.
“There’s no doubt in my mind I’m going to do everything that I can to contribute to this team,” Vasil said. “In the clubhouse, if guys need it off the field, anything I can do. This season, it’s still about the guys. For me, it sucks because I can’t be a part of it. It’s bigger than just one injury this year, it’s about the entire roster and what we’re creating here. That’s still going to be the mindset I bring every day.”