SEATTLE — Ailing White Sox catcher Kyle Teel is learning lessons he’d rather not have to sit through as he tries to work his way back to MLB action for the first time this season.
“This is the first time I’ve been injured in my career,” a frustrated Teel said after meeting his teammates in Seattle following the knee injury that derailed his rehab assignment from a pulled hamstring. “I’m learning as I go throughout this process.
“Patience is important. At the same time, being impatient in a way that’s trying to get back as fast as I can. So it’s the combo of those two variables,” he said.
On the cusp of his big-league return from the hammy pulled during the World Baseball Classic, Teel’s cleat got caught in the batter’s box while swinging at Triple-A Charlotte over the weekend. It sprained a ligament in his right knee, setting him back an estimated three to six weeks.
The prized backstop is taking solace in joining the chorus of recuperating Sox cheerleaders traveling with the team, including Mike Vasil (Tommy John surgery) and Tanner Murray (fractured shoulder).
“I love these guys,” Teel said. “We have an unbelievable team and I’m so grateful to be a part of it in any way I can… I want to bring energy to the clubhouse, I want to bring energy during the games. And then when it’s time to go, I want to go and give it my all.”
Sigh of relief
Third baseman Miguel Vargas got an off day but was available off the bench Wednesday after getting hit in the right hand with a pitch late in Tuesday’s 2-1 win. X-rays revealed no structural damage.
“I definitely thought it would be worse in the moment,” Vargas said. “I was praying for that. I feel good today.”
Closing argument
Manager Will Venable went to Grant Taylor instead of big-money closer Seranthony Dominguez to seal their comeback win on Tuesday, but don’t call it a controversy just yet.
“[Taylor] was hot,” Venable said. “If he gets hot and you don’t use him, it’s kind of a wasted bullet there.”
The second-year flamethrower Taylor has been untouchable his last three outings, striking out the side in his latest to earn his first save of the season and lower his ERA to 1.78.
Dominguez (3-3, 4.82 ERA) has made things more interesting than the Sox would’ve liked when they signed him to a two-year, $20 million deal, but he’s already racked up 10 saves, more than any Sox reliever all of last season.
Venable asserted Dominguez was still his closer on Sunday after the veteran served up a three-run, game-tying home run to the Cubs’ Michael Conforto before the Sox’ eventual walk-off win.
General manager Chris Getz has said they’ll use Taylor in just about every relief scenario imaginable. He’s also been deployed as the opener four times, but not since April 12.
Mune meets Ichiro
Three-true-outcome slugger Munetaka Murakami has a completely different batting profile than that of his countryman and all-time great contact hitter Ichiro Suzuki, but the legendary Mariner has long been a hero for the Sox’ rookie.
Murakami got his chance to tell Suzuki that while meeting him for the first time on the field at T-Mobile Park before Tuesday’s game.
“[Suzuki] was always his idol growing up and he was really just glad to meet him,” interpreter Kenzo Yagi said, paraphrasing pleasantries between the Japanese superstars. “It was more of a greeting and just talking about all different things.”
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 19, 2026