CINCINNATI — Less than two months ago, relief pitcher Mike Vasil wasn’t even expecting to be on a big-league roster.
On Wednesday, he notched his first big-league save in the White Sox’ 4-2 win over the Reds — the first time he’d been called on to close a game since his senior year at Boston College High School.
“I now know why those guys get paid a lot, because my heart was beating probably a thousand beats per minute,” Vasil said of hearing his name called to go out for the bottom of the ninth inning. “You play it as cool as you can. . . . You lock in, get loose and get ready.”
Manager Will Venable has turned to the 25-year-old rookie at a steady clip since the Sox plucked him from the Rays on waivers a few days before Opening Day.
Although the Sox haven’t found themselves in many high-leverage situations during a rough first quarter of the season, Venable said he has increased confidence in using the 6-5 right-hander late in games.
“We trust him back there,” Venable said. “If something gets away from him a little bit, he gets right back on track and is able to limit damage.”
In 25 innings over 13 appearances this season, Vasil has a 1.80 ERA with 15 strikeouts, holding opponents to a .182 average. He mostly has relied on a mid-90s fastball and sinker.
But he also has walked 14 batters. He worked around a free pass Tuesday night, inducing a fly out and two groundouts with a nice pick-and-throw from third baseman Miguel Vargas to end the game.
“He did a great job getting back into his groove and getting outs,” Venable said.
Vasil’s status as a Rule 5 pick means he’d end up back with the Rays if the Sox remove him from the active roster. The Sox also have seen huge dividends this season from another Rule 5 flier: Shane Smith, another Boston-area high school product.
“Those guys have been two of our most consistent contributors,” assistant general manager Josh Barfield said.
For now, Vasil is just looking forward to his second save opportunity.
“It’s a lot of fun,” he said. “Whatever they ask me to do, I’ll do regardless. But the ninth inning is definitely a roller coaster of emotions.”
Blessed run?
The Sox were playing some of their best baseball of the season before Reds starter Nick Martinez (2-4) held them to two hits in his seven innings in a 7-1 drubbing Thursday. The Sox went hitless until the fifth.
But the South Siders still have gone 4-2 since Dolton native and Sox fan Robert Prevost was elected as Pope Leo XIV last week.
The Reds ended a three-game winning streak for the Sox, who notched a second straight series win, their first on the road.
“Overall, a great series, and we’ll turn the page on today and go and fight the Cubs [on Friday],” Venable said.
Small blessings aside, the Sox have the same record (14-30) as their historically awful 2024 team did in mid-May.
Newest face
The Sox claimed infielder Vinny Capra, 28, off waivers from the Brewers, with whom he hit .074 with a homer and four RBI in 24 games, mostly at third base but also at shortstop and second.
“We really like him defensively,” Venable said. “He gives us an opportunity to move [shortstop Chase Meidroth] around, to give Chase days off.”