The Chicago White Sox already had questions in their bullpen heading into 2026.
Now, they have a major problem.
Mike Vasil—one of the few reliable arms from last season—will miss the entire year after suffering a torn UCL that requires Tommy John surgery. It’s a crushing setback for a team that was counting on him to stabilize a shaky pitching staff.
And it didn’t take long for the worst fears to become reality.
Vasil had been building up as a potential rotation option this spring, stretching out to multiple innings in camp. But after exiting his latest outing with elbow discomfort, concern quickly turned into confirmation. The diagnosis ends his season before it even begins—and likely pushes his return timeline well into 2027.
That absence leaves a massive void.
In 2025, Vasil quietly became one of the most valuable pitchers on the roster. Operating in a hybrid role, he logged over 100 innings while shifting between starting, relieving, and even closing when needed. His 2.50 ERA stood out on a team that struggled for consistency, especially in the bullpen.
Replacing that kind of versatility isn’t easy.
The White Sox now have to piece together a solution, likely through a combination of internal adjustments and potential external moves. There’s no direct replacement for what Vasil provided, which makes this more about reshaping the entire bullpen structure than filling a single role.
There are a few internal candidates.
Chris Murphy is expected to make the Opening Day roster and could step into a swingman role after being stretched out this spring. Sean Newcomb, a free agent addition, offers similar multi-inning flexibility and could absorb some of the workload.
There are also more speculative options.
Rule 5 pick Jedixson Paez brings intriguing upside with a starter’s arsenal, though his lack of experience above High-A makes him a risky bet. Meanwhile, non-roster invitees like Ryan Borucki and Lucas Sims could factor into the equation if they impress in the final days of camp.
Still, none of these options fully replicate what Vasil brought.
That’s why the front office may need to look beyond the current roster.
As teams finalize their Opening Day lineups, a wave of players will hit waivers. The White Sox could take advantage of that window, much like they did when they originally acquired Vasil, to find a cost-effective addition.
It’s not an ideal solution—but it may be a necessary one.
Because the reality is simple: losing a pitcher who delivered 100-plus quality innings creates ripple effects across the entire staff. Roles shift. Depth gets tested. And the margin for error shrinks.
For a team trying to move forward after difficult seasons, this is the kind of setback that can’t be ignored.
Now, the question isn’t just who replaces Mike Vasil.
It’s whether anyone can truly fill what he leaves behind.
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