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Two and a half hours before first pitch on Sunday, Kyle Sasala sat behind the desk that 24 hours ago wasn’t his. The acting manager of the Portland Sea Dogs pointed to a note that his predecessor Chad Epperson left. It was succinct, just three words, but said exactly what Sasala needed to hear.

“It is well,” the note read, with Epperson’s signature underneath.

“It’s kind of a thing we started in spring training. Some of the people, where faith is important in their life, we talk about how it doesn’t matter what situation you’re in, we can say it is well within our souls. It’s kind of our rallying cry,” Sasala, 35, said.

After four-plus seasons as the Sea Dogs manager, Epperson got the call to the show. The firing of Red Sox manager Alex Cora and multiple Boston coaches set off a chain reaction in the club’s minor league system, leading to the promotion of Epperson as Boston’s interim third base coach.

Epperson left the Sea Dogs on Saturday night to join the Red Sox in Baltimore in time for Sunday afternoon’s game against the Orioles and was unavailable for comment.

The longest-tenured manager in Sea Dogs history, Epperson passed Arnie Beyeler as the club’s all-time winningest skipper last season. He was 300-266 with Portland.

Sasala said he spoke to Brian Abraham, the Red Sox director of player development, Saturday night after news of Cora’s firing and Epperson’s promotion broke. Sasala joined the Red Sox organization in 2024 as an infield coach, after 10 years as a coach at Grove City College. His promotion to Sea Dogs manager, his first stint as a manager in pro ball, was unexpected.

As far as early season shakeups go, the promotion of Sasala as Epperson’s replacement should be as seamless as one of these things can be.

“In professional baseball, (Epperson’s) the only manager I’ve worked with. It’s been a really good relationship. The way he sees the game is incredible. The way he’s able to communicate with the players is pretty special. I think a lot of the players love playing for him,” Sasala said. “Trying to sit back and watch how he interacts with the players and how he cares for them, it’s really cool to see and something I’d like to try and emulate.”

Players heard about the changes the same way many fans did, through social media. Infielder Drew Ehrhard had just returned home from dinner when he found out Epperson was joining the Red Sox.

“I texted (Epperson). I just wanted to make sure he knew how thankful I was to have him not just as a manager, but as a role model and as a friend,” Ehrhard said. “I told him I was beyond excited for him and I’m happy he’s getting this opportunity. I just want him to go do great things.”

Ehrhard joined the Sea Dogs during the 2024 season. Since then, he and Epperson have become close. Epperson’s unconditional support has been important, Ehrhard said. Late last season, Ehrhard said he’d like to coach when he’s done playing. When that time comes, if he can be half the manager Epperson is, Ehrhard figures he’ll be doing a good job.

“(Saturday) night, I took some time and was upset for a while. But then I decided to flip the mindset and was super excited about him going up there with this opportunity,” Ehrhard said. “I want nothing but the best for him and whole team up there.”

Sasala said Epperson kept his parting advice as simple as the note he left on the desk.

“He just told me to be myself, and told me he’s excited for me,” Sasala said.