Catcher Kyle Teel, expected to serve as the team’s primary backstop in 2026, suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain during Team Italy’s World Baseball Classic game against Team USA. White Sox general manager Chris Getz confirmed that Teel will be sidelined four to six weeks, meaning he will miss at least the beginning of the regular season.
Injury reshapes White Sox roster plans
Before Teel’s injury, one of the biggest questions facing the White Sox was whether they would keep Korey Lee on the Opening Day roster.
Lee is out of minor-league options, which meant the team would have needed to either place him on the major-league roster, trade him, or risk losing him on waivers.
Teel’s injury has effectively solved that dilemma. With the starting catcher unavailable, the White Sox can now keep Lee on the roster without risking losing him to another organization.
Edgar Quero expected to see increased playing time
With Teel sidelined, Edgar Quero is expected to handle the majority of the catching duties early in the season.
The 22-year-old made his major league debut last April and showed promising offensive traits during his rookie campaign. While his plate discipline and contact ability impressed coaches, he struggled at times to generate consistent power.
During the offseason, Quero worked extensively at Driveline Baseball, focusing on improving his bat speed and launch angle in hopes of becoming a more complete offensive player.
So far this spring, those adjustments appear to be paying off. In nine Cactus League games, Quero has gone 11-for-30 with a home run and a .920 OPS.
While spring training numbers do not always translate directly into regular-season success, the early results have been encouraging.
Tough break for White Sox plans
Even though the injury helps clarify the team’s roster situation, it is still a significant setback.
The White Sox view Teel as a key piece of their young core moving forward, and the organization had high expectations for his development in 2026.
If Teel returns closer to the four-week timeline, he could rejoin the team by its second road trip of the season. A longer recovery could keep him out for most or all of April.
Opportunity for others
In the meantime, both Quero and Lee will have an opportunity to prove themselves.
Quero will likely receive the majority of the starts behind the plate, while Lee can provide depth and additional offense from the bench.
For the White Sox, the injury is a frustrating development, but it also creates a chance for two young catchers to demonstrate they can be part of the team’s future.
And if Teel can return quickly and regain his form, Chicago will still hope to see the talented backstop become one of the team’s key contributors later in the season.
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