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Well, that didn't go exactly as planned. Former Boston Red Sox prospect Kyle Teel made his 2026 debut Monday for the Chicago White Sox, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts while starting at catcher and batting cleanup in the 6-5 win over the Cleveland Guardians.

The 24-year-old returned from the 60-day injured list before the game. He suffered a right hamstring strain in March while playing for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic.

“I've been waiting for this day for a long time,” said Teel before the game, according to MLB.com's Scott Merkin. “It was a grind for a while, but I'm just so grateful to be back."

According to Merkin, White Sox manager Will Venable had Teel slated in the 3-hole before moving down one spot in the lineup.

“He’s a very capable hitter,” said Venable, per Merkin. “We think he’s one of our top hitters that belongs up there somewhere.”

Teel joins a White Sox team that is tied with the Guardians for first place in the American League Central. Chicago is competing for a division title just two years after acquiring Teel in the five-player deal which delivered Garrett Crochet to the Red Sox.

Boston selected Teel in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft and he made his big-league debut just two years later after changing his Sox. Teel played in 78 games last season for the White Sox, hitting .273 with a .786 OPS.

“Obviously he’s somebody that makes a huge impact in the middle of our lineup. And just excited, not just to have him in the lineup, but on the field. His energy when he’s playing is awesome," Venable added, according to Merkin.

Teel was the White Sox's No. 2 prospect last year, according to MLB Pipeline. He was the Red Sox's No. 3 prospect before the trade to Chicago.

More MLB: Former Red Sox Pitcher Boosts Trade Deadline Value

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