Mike Vasil threw a baseball for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery, drawing an emotional show of support from his White Sox teammates.
Chicago White Sox right-handed pitcher Mike Vasil was back in uniform and on the field Friday.
No, he wasn't pitching in the game. Vasil blew out his elbow during spring training and will miss the entire 2026 season. But for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery, Vasil threw a baseball.
He played catch with White Sox catcher Kyle Teel before the game and had the entire White Sox team, along with plenty of staff members, out there to watch and support him.
As Vasil prepared to throw a baseball for the first time, his White Sox teammates "jokingly" built up the moment with a slow clap. But it was only partially a joke. The support for Vasil was real, and seeing an entire organization rally around one player was a really cool moment.
It certainly had an impact on Vasil, who spoke to the media Friday afternoon before the game.
“Just to see that they were out there and had my back, it meant a lot. It really did. Really made me emotional, just the fact that everyone's behind me and supporting me,” the 26-year-old right-hander said.
It's only right. Vasil has spent the 2026 season as a bystander, but he's never been a passive one. The White Sox know how important he is to the team's chemistry and the overall clubhouse atmosphere.
Even through the pain of being unable to play and the challenges of going through rehab, Vasil has remained a constant positive presence for the White Sox. He brings energy on game days, supports his teammates from the dugout and provides value to the group in any way he can.
His magic wand has become so popular among White Sox fans that the team held a giveaway specifically dedicated to Vasil's off-field antics.
But let's not forget that Vasil posted a 2.50 ERA over 101 innings as a rookie in 2025. He's an uber-talented pitcher who could have a significant impact on the White Sox at some point in 2027.
For a pitcher facing a long road back, even a simple game of catch represents a meaningful milestone. There is still plenty of work ahead, but Friday offered Vasil and everyone around him a reminder that his comeback has begun.
It was nice to see him throwing again. It's an encouraging sign that Vasil's recovery is on schedule, but it was even better to see a through-and-through team player receive the same outpouring of love and support from his teammates that he's shown them all year.
