White Sox Activate Kyle Teel; Catcher Drew Romo Optioned to Triple-A Charlotte

Kyle Teel returns to the White Sox active roster after a high ankle sprain sidelined him during a 10-3 victory against the Texas Rangers.

CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox officially activated catcher Kyle Teel from the 10-day injured list on Friday, September 4, 2026. This transaction marks the return of the 2023 first-round amateur draft selection to the active roster following a lengthy absence caused by a high ankle sprain. To accommodate his return to the 26-man squad, the organization optioned fellow catcher Drew Romo to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights. Teel joins a club currently maintaining its position at the top of the American League Central standings despite a season marred by frequent personnel shifts behind the plate.

Key details

Teel’s most recent medical setback occurred during the second inning of a 10-3 victory over the Texas Rangers. While attempting to apply a tag on a runner at home plate, the backstop suffered a left ankle sprain that effectively sidelined him for the entire month of August. Before this specific stint on the shelf, the former Boston Red Sox prospect had participated in just 19 Major League contests during the 2026 campaign. In that limited sample size, he recorded a .190 batting average, accounting for two home runs and 14 runs batted in across his plate appearances.

The path to this September activation has been obstructed by multiple physical hurdles for the young catcher. His 2026 season began with a right hamstring strain sustained while competing for Italy in the World Baseball Classic. During a subsequent rehabilitation assignment with the Charlotte Knights, Teel suffered a right knee injury that further pushed back his timeline. These consecutive ailments delayed his season debut until June 22, leaving him active for less than four weeks before the collision in Texas necessitated another period of recovery.

In the corresponding roster move, Drew Romo departs the big-league club after a challenging offensive stretch. Romo, whom the White Sox claimed off waivers from the New York Mets on January 8, 2026, struggled to find consistency in the batter's box. Over 60 games played this year, the switch-hitter posted a .141 batting average. Despite the low average, he managed to provide some power, tallying seven home runs and 16 RBIs. Prior to his tenure in Chicago, Romo’s Major League experience consisted of 19 games with the Colorado Rockies, where he drove in six runs but failed to record a home run.

Latest developments

Teel’s arrival in the South Side organization dates back to a high-profile trade executed in December 2024. The White Sox sent left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet to the Boston Red Sox to secure the catcher’s services. During his inaugural season with Chicago in 2025, Teel demonstrated his potential by appearing in 78 games and finishing the year with a .273 batting average. That productive campaign included eight home runs and 35 RBIs, establishing him as a core component of the franchise's future plans before the injuries of 2026 took hold.

The statistical disparity between the two catchers highlights the motivation for this move as the pennant race intensifies. While Teel’s current .190 mark is below his career norms, it represents a significant upgrade over the .141 production provided by Romo during the mid-summer months. The White Sox coaching staff now integrates a defender who has spent the vast majority of the current calendar year on the trainer's table rather than the diamond. With the September 4 activation, the team hopes to stabilize the catching position for the final stretch of the regular season.

Defensively, the return of the 2023 first-rounder provides the AL Central leaders with a familiar presence for a pitching staff that has navigated various injuries of its own. The club’s decision to send Romo to Triple-A Charlotte ensures he will receive regular at-bats to address the hitting woes that saw his average plummet during his 60-game stint. Teel now looks to build upon the 19 games he managed to complete between his June debut and the July injury against Texas. As the White Sox prepare for the postseason push, the health of their primary backstop remains a critical variable in maintaining their divisional lead.