White Sox manager Will Venable still isn’t quite comfortable with both of his catchers, Edgar Quero and Kyle Teel, in the lineup, but he understands the necessity.
“We need these guys — they’re two of our best hitters,” he said. “They continue to perform out there. It’s hard to not have them in the lineup, so for me it’s worth the risk and something that we have to be comfortable with doing because I think it helps us and gives us the best chance to win.”
The risk is that if Quero or Teel gets injured and one has to shift from the designated hitter spot to catcher, the Sox, according to major-league rules, would forfeit the DH spot in their lineup for the remainder of the game, requiring their pitcher to bat.
Despite some encouraging flashes in the second half, the Sox have ranked near the bottom of the league in most statistical categories. Since June 5, Quero is fourth on the team with a .778 OPS; Teel is seventh with a .714. Each also has a wRC+ above the league average.
They’re making an impact with consistent at-bats. Take the Sox’ 9-6 win over the Tigers on Tuesday. Quero and Teel combined for four RBI and five hits, proving to be the catalyst for a five-run fifth inning.
Still, while the two are both capable hitters, they’re still getting used to the DH spot while splitting catching duties.
“It’s a little tough, especially for me coming from the minor leagues playing almost every day,” Quero said. “Coming [to Chicago], trying to find a spot to play more . . . it’s really tough, but I have to make adjustments, and that’s what I’m doing.”
Venable believes both players have taken to the DH role more than they may believe.
“We’re asking them to do something they haven’t done before in their careers,” Venable said. “To be able to stay locked in, do all the work they need to do with game planning, their relationships with the pitchers, there is plenty of work for them to do, and they’re doing it, and it’s been great. Whatever opportunity they have, they’re embracing it.”
Teel, who has a hit in three of his last four games, was in the DH spot 17 times at Triple-A Charlotte. He sees the role as a means to keep him and Quero fresh. When he’s in the lineup at DH, he isn’t one to sit on the bench.
“I like to move around in the cage,” Teel said. “I’m not sitting down too much.”
Venable might not have to worry about playing the two in the lineup at the same time once infielder Chase Meidroth (contusion, right thumb) returns from the 10-day injured list, where he has been since Aug. 7 (retroactive to Aug. 4). The Sox would likely place him at second base to give Curtis Mead a long leash at third base. But if Meidroth replaced Lenyn Sosa at second, the only position for Sosa — who’s tied for the team lead in homers with 14 — would be at DH.
The Sox nonetheless have to commit to giving Quero and Teel exposure to major-league pitching to prepare them for the future.