Chicago White Sox right-hander Mike Vasil left his Cactus League outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers with right elbow soreness, as announced by the team. This development adds another layer of concern to the pitching staff of the rebuilding club as they navigate spring training competitions.
Vasil's performance before his exit was promising. He tossed 3.2 scoreless innings at Camelback Ranch, yielding just two hits, walking two (both to Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy in the fourth), and striking out three.
Facing a Dodgers lineup featuring six regulars from the reigning World Series champions, Vasil held his own until a mound visit with the trainer, infielders, and catcher Edgar Quero led to his removal. Zach Franklin came in as relief, and the White Sox secured a 7-2 victory.
On Sunday, Vasil shared a brief update with reporters, mentioning, “Something didn’t feel right” during the game and emphasizing the need for caution with any elbow issue. Manager Will Venable, who had stressed Vasil’s need to “attack the zone” before the game, highlighted command as a crucial factor for Vasil moving forward. Venable stated, “So, kind of day by day, we are collecting more information and getting closer to some of these decisions.”
Vasil has been preparing this spring as a contender for the 2026 starting rotation after an impressive 2025 season, where he achieved a 2.50 ERA over 47 appearances (three starts) and 101 innings out of the bullpen. He has emerged as a potential rotation piece alongside Anthony Kay, Davis Martin, Erick Fedde, and Sean Burke.
Shane Smith is confirmed as the Opening Day starter against Milwaukee on March 26. Meanwhile, left-hander Sean Newcomb, also in the mix for a rotation spot, has been moved to the bullpen.
The timing of Vasil’s injury is unfortunate for the White Sox, who are assessing nine pitchers for rotation roles while dealing with other challenges, including catcher Kyle Teel’s 4-6 week hamstring strain. Although Vasil is currently listed as day-to-day, elbow issues are always a cause for concern in baseball.