The White Sox are getting another glimpse of their future.
A source confirmed to the Sun-Times that the team is calling up catcher Kyle Teel for the series opener Friday against the Royals.
Teel, the Sox’ No. 2-ranked prospect, had been raking at Triple-A Charlotte. He reached base safely in 38 of his last 39 games there, slashing .326/.424/.525.
Teel told reporters Monday that he was taking grounders at first base. The Sox have insisted they want to develop him as a catcher, but his potent bat was enough for him to receive the call to the majors.
Sox split series with Tigers
The Sox also got a glimmer of hope Thursday in an otherwise-lost season. After going hitless in his first four at-bats, Tim Elko hit a walk-off single in the 10th inning to give the Sox a 3-2 victory against the Tigers. The Sox (20-43) split the series and improved to 4-16 in one-run games.
‘‘I don’t think I was seeing the ball the best today,’’ Elko said. ‘‘But from at-bat to at-bat, I was able to see at least what the slider looked like, and [right-hander Beau Brieske] left one a little bit higher, so I was able to put a bat on it.’’
Chase Meidroth reached base five times (three walks, two hits), and Edgar Quero went 2-for-5.
The Sox constantly put pressure on Tigers starter Casey Mize, loading the bases in the first two innings, even though no one scored. The Sox broke through in the third on a sacrifice fly by Mike Tauchman and an RBI single by Meidroth. They ended up leaving 12 men on base.
‘‘You continue to put yourself in those good spots, you’re going to get the results eventually,’’ manager Will Venable said.
Starter Sean Burke (3-6) pitched a career-high seven innings, allowing two runs and seven hits with five strikeouts and one walk. He has allowed a combined five runs in his last three starts.
Burke took notice of the Sox’ competitiveness against the Mets last week and the Tigers.
‘‘We talked all week [about how] they have the best record in baseball, and we [just] hung with them,’’ Burke said.
Robert Jr.’s return delayed
Venable said before the game Tuesday that center fielder Luis Robert Jr. wouldn’t play Tuesday or Wednesday as the Sox worked with him on adjustments at the plate.
Robert was expected to return to the lineup Thursday, but Michael A. Taylor remained in center. Venable said the plan had been for Robert to start, but ‘‘he was in the cage [Wednesday] and was hitting, and a ball ricocheted and hit him in the head.’’
Robert was evaluated for a concussion, but Venable said he’s fine and might be in the lineup Friday. Venable is confident Robert’s work in the cage was beneficial.
‘‘I think a lot of it was about really just challenging him and putting him in spots to hit some [velocity] and just do some different things, trying to be aggressive and athletic,’’ Venable said.