Catcher Kyle Teel has been here before. Not just with the White Sox, but answering questions about coming back from an injury.
“I’m very excited. Going into this interview, I was like it’s going to be a lot of the same questions,” Teel said. “Yeah, I’m just ready to get going.”
The Sox desperately need that to be true.
Activated from the injured list before Friday’s game against the Twins, Teel could finally give the Sox some offensive production from behind the plate. Entering the game, Sox catchers were slashing a ghastly.170/.258/.270, and Teel figures to improve on those numbers.
If he stays healthy.
Because of a hamstring strain, knee sprain and the ankle sprain he came back from, Friday was Teel’s 20th game. Despite that, Teel is not thinking about whether he can trust his body.
“I’m not going out there to make sure I’m OK,” Teel said. “I’m going out there to win.”
To make room for Teel, the Sox optioned Drew Romo to Triple-A Charlotte. Romo, however, is staying with the Sox on their taxi squad.
The Castillo question
Through six starts, Luis Castillo has a 7.52 ERA, a 1.709 WHIP and given up at least four runs in five outings. Castillo, who will get $22.75 million from the Sox next year before a 2028 vesting option, also isn’t giving the Sox any length as only one of his starts has lasted more than five innings.
General manager Chris Getz wondered whether Castillo is trying too hard to impress in his new surroundings. He also said the Sox are making tweaks with Castillo’s mechanics, and they saw progress with his lower half Thursday in Houston.
“He’s not exactly where we want him to be or showing what he’s capable of doing, but that doesn’t mean we don’t continue to work,” Getz said. “That’s kind of the beauty of what we do and what we’ve done. We’ll continue to do so, find ways to solve for problems and issues and make adjustments.”
Wave the wand
He hasn’t thrown a pitch this year, but the story of the 2026 Sox won’t be told without pitcher Mike Vasil. Out for the season with Tommy John surgery, Vasil has stayed with the team and become one of its most noticeable fans, waving a “magic” wand and putting a wizard’s hat on teammates when they hit a home run.
On Friday, the Sox gave away souvenir wands to the first 20,000 fans, which is quite a statement about a player who won’t return until 2027.
“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 makes you forget about yesterday and helps you focus on the task at hand tonight,” manager Will Venable said. “He’s made a huge impact.”
Mark your calendars?
The Sox announced their 2027 spring training schedule, which is slated to begin Feb. 19 with a game at the Dodgers. Two days later, the Sox are scheduled to host the Reds for their spring home opener.
This is all pending the labor situation and the collective bargaining agreement, which expires Dec. 1.