Chuck Garfien sits down with White Sox pitcher Mike Vasil for an honest and lighthearted conversation as he navigates the early stages of recovering from Tommy John surgery. Vasil shares his initial reaction to the diagnosis, how he’s processing the setback mentally, and why it meant so much to hear his teammates want him around the team all season. He also gives a behind-the-scenes look at what his role will look like on game days, from hanging in the dugout to helping out in the bullpen (and even keeping the bullpen stocked with snacks).

Vasil breaks down what Tommy John surgery actually entails, including some of the more eye-opening and hard-to-unsee details, while also reflecting on the growing trend of younger players undergoing the procedure. He discusses whether he is allowing himself to think ahead to his comeback and creatively compares his journey to a pivotal chapter in The Dark Knight Rises. Plus, Vasil talks about exploring new hobbies during recovery, including the possibility of stepping into the podcasting world himself and even joining “Dr. Chuck” once a month on the White Sox podcast.