GLENDALE, Ariz. -- A couple of injuries have changed the White Sox Opening Day roster outlook. Here’s a glance at the team’s projection for March 26 in Milwaukee.
Catcher (2): Edgar Quero, Korey Lee
Injured: Kyle Teel
There was a chance three catchers would break camp with the team after Spring Training, with Lee having a strong spring and giving manager Will Venable an easier route to use Quero and Teel in the same lineup. But Teel’s Grade 2 right hamstring strain, suffered on March 10 with Team Italy at the World Baseball Classic, will sideline him for four to six weeks and place him on the injured list at the season’s outset.
First baseman (1): Munetaka Murakami
Others: Miguel Vargas, Lenyn Sosa, LaMonte Wade Jr.
It’s an exciting time for the organization, adding their most prominent presence from the Pacific Rim in franchise history. The power-packed Murakami, who hit a grand slam against Czechia for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic, launched his first White Sox homer in a return to Cactus League action on March 17.
Second baseman (1): Chase Meidroth
Others: Luisangel Acuña, Sosa, Sam Antonacci
Meidroth provides that gritty presence, along with his natural talent, needed by every solid squad. Keep an eye on Antonacci, a non-roster invitee who made a huge impression within the White Sox system in 2025 and has been great in Spring Training as well as for Team Italy in the WBC.
Shortstop (1): Colson Montgomery
Others: Sosa, Meidroth, Antonacci
Montgomery went from his needed overall reset in Arizona at the end of April, a struggling period he clearly has moved on from, to finishing fifth in the 2025 American League Rookie of the Year balloting. The left-handed hitter knocked out 21 home runs in 71 games, while playing stellar defense up the middle.
Third baseman (1): Vargas
Others: Sosa, Curtis Mead
Vargas can play third or first but is excited to be getting that chance at third.
“One hundred percent,” Vargas told MLB.com. “I’m a third baseman since I was a kid, so I love playing third. I really want to help my team any place I can. Now, I’m back to third base. I love it.”
Outfielders (3): Andrew Benintendi, Acuña, Austin Hays
Others: Derek Hill, Everson Pereira, Tristan Peters, Jarred Kelenic
Injured: Brooks Baldwin
The fleet-footed Acuña could become the team’s regular center fielder after getting time there during Winter League action, with Baldwin out of action since March 6 due to elbow soreness. But Acuña will also play in the infield. The White Sox still like Benintendi’s left-handed power bat, but general manager Chris Getz admitted Benintendi’s legs and not being able to cover the ground he once did has held him back. Benintendi feels excellent physically but will get at-bats at designated hitter.
DH (1): Sosa
Others: Benintendi, Lee, Vargas, Murakami, Kelenic, Pereira, Wade
This spot will rotate players over the course of the season. As mentioned above, it gives Quero and Teel a chance to be in the same lineup when Teel is healthy.
Bench/Utility (3): Mead, Kelenic, Pereira
Injured: Baldwin
Others: Hill, Peters
Acuña, Lee, Sosa, Pereira, Hill and Mead are out of options. The White Sox like the defense and athleticism provided in center by Hill, which could be valuable with the inexperience at that spot after the trade of Luis Robert Jr. Pereira is fully back in action after dealing with oblique soreness, and the team liked what Peters has shown offensively and defensively during Spring Training.
Starting pitchers (5): Shane Smith, Sean Burke, Anthony Kay (L), Davis Martin, Erick Fedde
Smith becomes the fifth White Sox hurler in the last five seasons to earn the Opening Day nod, facing his original team in Milwaukee. The White Sox stretched out nine pitchers during Spring Training, not to mention having Tanner McDougal, Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith at Triple-A Charlotte. So, they will have options.
Relief pitchers (8): Seranthony Domínguez (CL), Grant Taylor, Jordan Leasure, Jordan Hicks, Sean Newcomb (L), Chris Murphy (L), Jedixson Paez, Ryan Borucki (L)
Injured: Mike Vasil
Others: Brandon Eisert (L), Tyler Gilbert (L), Austin Voth, Lucas Sims
Losing Vasil for the season due to Tommy John surgery is a true setback. The right-hander had been stretched out as a starter but was so valuable in his ability to handle every role throughout the pitching staff. He will be part of the team during his rehab, as the White Sox don’t want to lose Vasil’s strong clubhouse presence.
Newcomb and Murphy could move into that Vasil role, with both having been stretched out in Arizona. Look for Taylor to get multi-inning work at times, as well.
Gilbert has one option remaining, and while Eisert is not on this original list, the southpaw produced a 4.39 ERA over a team-high 72 games in 2025. Paez was a selection in the ‘25 Rule 5 Draft.