GLENDALE, Ariz. — If you believe that Jose Contreras was put on Earth to throw his trademark forkball, then you’ll understand why White Sox pitcher Thyago Vieira believes that the 2005 World Series champion was brought to him this offseason with a call of duty from above.
“I believe in God. I took that as a signal from Him. I just needed someone to wake me up, and that was Jose,” Vieira said through team translator Billy Russo. “(Contreras) was put in that position by God and I’m very, very grateful for that.”
With a blazing fastball than can reach triple digits, Vieira has the arm to become a powerful reliever in the major leagues, but after the White Sox acquired him from the Seattle Mariners in November of 2017, he struggled with both his command and confidence.