MILWAUKEE -- Here’s a look at the White Sox Opening Day roster ahead of their game against the Brewers on Thursday.
Catcher (2): Edgar Quero, Reese McGuire
McGuire was a late signing in camp, which spelled the end of Korey Lee's time with the organization after he was designated for assignment. Kyle Teel suffered a right hamstring strain on March 10 with Team Italy at the World Baseball Classic that will sideline him for four to six weeks.
First baseman (1): Munetaka Murakami
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
Meidroth provides that gritty presence, along with his natural talent, needed by every solid squad.
Shortstop (1): Colson Montgomery
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): Miguel Vargas
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, Luisangel Acuña, Austin Hays
The fleet-footed Acuña will be the team’s regular center fielder after getting time there during Winter League action, 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 -- have held him back. Benintendi feels excellent physically but will get at-bats at designated hitter.
DH (1): Lenyn Sosa
This spot will rotate amongst players over the course of the season. It'll give Quero and Teel a chance to be in the same lineup when Teel is healthy and able to return.
Bench/Utility (3): Derek Hill, Everson Pereira, Tristan Peters
The White Sox like the defense and athleticism provided in center by Hill, which is valuable with the inexperience at that spot after the trade of Luis Robert Jr. The team liked what Peters showed 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, Tyler Gilbert (L)
Losing Mike 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, who has one option remaining, and Paez, a selection in the ‘25 Rule 5 Draft, both made the squad.