Vasil is magical for White Sox despite not playing this season

This story was excerpted from Scott Merkin’s White Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

CHICAGO -- Let’s travel back to the last week of March, with the White Sox preparing to leave Spring Training and Glendale, Ariz., set to begin what has turned into an American League Central-leading 2026 season.

How about a little roll call to go along with that preparation.

All those who expected the White Sox to be giving away purportedly magic wands, introduced by pitcher Mike Vasil, during the series opener against the Twins on Friday, please take one step forward. Let’s also make note of Vasil’s mom, Kathy, throwing out a first pitch to the White Sox reliever on that same night.

It’s of little wonder nobody is moving.

“There are a lot of things that were not on the bingo card this year,” said White Sox general manager Chris Getz with a smile. “Including that one.”

“When I was talking to my mom [Tuesday] in the airport, I was like, ‘I didn’t think you would ever be throwing out a first pitch to me while I’m not active on a giveaway day for a wand,’” Vasil said. “Really didn’t see that one coming. It’s like a Seinfeld episode.”

Bonus points for Vasil to invoke Seinfeld, one of the greatest shows in television history. Thinking about this entertaining White Sox crew as Seinfeld personas gives thought to another newsletter topic, but let’s stay focused on Vasil.

By my math, I’ve composed five non-on-field stories about Vasil after his unfortunate Spring Training injury and ensuing Tommy John surgery. The wand became a part of the White Sox when fellow reliever Jordan Leasure purchased it for $20 on Amazon, had it overnighted to Chicago and presented it to Vasil before a series at home against the Angels on April 27.

It has since morphed into a good luck charm for this good luck team with a dugout wizard’s hat added to Vasil’s garb on home runs. It’s a fun story, for certain, but there’s a deeper meaning beyond the silliness.

Vasil might become the first player to ever garner an AL Most Valuable Player vote while being inactive. He has meant that much to this team.

“One thing we’ve talked about that I’ve observed all year as what is special about this group is what goes on in the clubhouse,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “The way that they communicate and the way their relationships have put them in a position where they’re playing for each other.

“They’re being present, they turn the page on yesterday. And Mike’s a big part of that. He’s a guy that when he comes into the clubhouse, whether he has a story for you or just his presence and general positivity and energy, it makes you forget about yesterday and helps you focus on the task at hand tonight.”

On Tuesday, Vasil made the trip from Houston to Arlington to have Dr. Keith Meister check again on his progress since performing the Tommy John. He missed the game and could have simply returned to the hotel, but there was Vasil, cruising up to the clubhouse on a stadium golf cart, to celebrate postgame with his teammates.

That feeling, as much as the wand, is what Vasil is all about. It began after Vasil’s injury, when Venable pushed for the right-handed reliever to stick with the team while rehabbing.

“Will deserves a lot of credit for doing that,” Getz said. “It certainly has given us an edge. It has. Did we anticipate it turning into him dressing up as a wizard and having a wand giveaway? Of course not. But it’s also been part of this 2026 season.

“This is a very likeable group. Mainly because of how they play on the field and the energy and the comebacks. But a lot of people can relate to this team and the fun they have because they enjoy what they do and Vas has been a part of it.”

Don’t forget Vasil as a pitcher. It was just one year ago when Vasil posted a 2.50 ERA over 101 innings and 47 games. He was cleared to throw from 45 feet, starting Sept. 18, during Tuesday’s exam.

“As much fun as I’ve had, it’s not even close to the same as actually playing,” Vasil said. “I’m just excited.

“Once I start throwing, I’ll feel more normal. It’s giving me far more of an appreciation for having the normal schedule and the normal routine. In the near future, next year or the year after, going through 162 as a healthy guy, I don’t think I’ll ever complain about stretch or conditioning again.”

His return will be, dare we say it, magical, much like Friday’s wand giveaways.

“Mike Vasil’s got the magic. Our fans got some magic, too,” said catcher Kyle Teel, who returned Friday to the White Sox from injury rehab with Triple-A Charlotte. “So, I’m excited to see them waving their wands.”