GLENDALE, Ariz. – When Kyle Teel homered off Nolan McLean during Team Italy’s 8-6 victory over Team USA on Tuesday, Chris Getz literally jumped off his couch with excitement.
Sam Antonacci, the No. 9 White Sox prospect according to MLB Pipeline, followed with a second long ball two batters later for Italy, adding to Getz’s frenzy. But when Teel, the White Sox starting catcher, suffered a Grade 2 right hamstring strain rounding first on a sixth-inning double, the excitement was dimmed for the White Sox general manager.
Teel is expected to be off the field for 4 to 6 weeks and will begin the 2026 season on the injured list.
“When that happened, it definitely took a little wind out of the sail,” said Getz of Teel’s injury, speaking before Cactus League action against the Angels on Wednesday. “But I am proud of how those guys have been representing the organization.
“I’ve gotten feedback from anyone who has been watching and some people on the Italy staff. They like Kyle and Sam like we do, and it’s because of the competitiveness, the talent they have and their desire to win. When you are talking about two players who get after it like they do, sometimes it can come at risk. But the hamstring stuff, that can happen to obviously any player.”
Teel, 24, is an eternally positive burst of left-handed hitting energy. The White Sox will be cautious with such an important component to the organization, as Teel slashed .273/.375/.411 with eight home runs, 35 RBIs and 38 runs scored during his 2025 rookie campaign.
Getz has talked about catching being considered gold over the past few years, and that gold stash figures to come in handy in this instance. Switch-hitting Edgar Quero, 22, moves into the starter’s role, while Korey Lee, 27, also puts himself in the backstop equation with non-roster invitee Drew Romo, 24.
All three catchers have had strong camps with the White Sox.
“We think all those guys are in a really good spot,” said White Sox manager Will Venable on his trio of catchers. “All kind of have a little bit of a different skill set, and of course for us defense is a priority here and all of those guys have been doing a great job.”
Lee hit a 443-foot home run, according to Statcast, at Hohokam Stadium on Tuesday, while picking up his fourth stolen base. He’s a consummate leader and has worked well with Quero and Teel, showing continued support Wednesday after Teel’s injury.
“He’s a helluva young man and a helluva baseball player,” Lee said of Teel. “Obviously, very unfortunate to see him do that. I don’t think anyone has ever seen him pull up. He plays hard every single day and I tip my cap to that.
“Praising him and praying for him to have a speedy recovery, and it’s unfortunate to see him go down like that because of the type of person that he is. It’s part of the game and it’s unfortunate but I know he’s going to come back and be healthy and be strong, and that’s all that we want from him.”
The rehab process has already begun for Teel in Houston, where he will stay with Team Italy for Wednesday’s big game against Mexico. Teel returns to Camelback Ranch on Thursday.
There will only be two catchers on the White Sox Opening Day roster, which gives pause for thought as to how Lee, who is out of options, would have fit with a healthy Teel. That consideration has been tabled until late April or early May.
“Having Edgar Quero and Korey Lee and Romo in camp, we feel like we are in a good position,” Getz said. “We can handle this setback with Kyle. We look forward to getting him back because he’s an important part of this team.”
“Continue to work hard and no matter what that is, catching, hitting, being a good teammate, whatever it is, it’s my job,” Lee said. “I’m enjoying doing it.”
Venable had the same range of emotions as Getz watching Teel and Antonacci on Tuesday night. But he’s ready for what’s next, with a close look upon Teel’s recovery.
“It was really exciting there to see those guys do their thing and obviously playing really well,” Venable said. “Obviously disappointing news with Kyle and the hamstring.
“Really the concern up front is just how he’s doing. He really wants to be out there playing, whether it’s in the WBC or here. He just loves playing baseball.”