GLENDALE, Ariz. — Catcher, starting pitching and center field were among the spots to monitor at the start of Chicago White Sox camp.
With the final full week of spring training underway, here’s how those roles are shaping up.
Catcher
Chicago White Sox catcher Edgar Quero, left, speaks to Drew Romo during spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
The Sox have largely avoided injuries this spring, but they did suffer a setback behind the plate with Kyle Teel out four to six weeks with a Grade 2 right hamstring strain.
Teel was injured on March 10 as he raced to second base for a double while playing for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic.
The questions entering camp were about how the Sox would balance playing time between Teel and Edgar Quero and whether the team would have two or three catchers, with Korey Lee among those options.
The Sox are leaning toward having two catchers on the opening-day roster. Quero and Lee are the probable duo to start the season. Drew Romo is another possibility.
Quero entered Monday with 12 RBIs in 12 games. Lee was 10-for-29 (.345) with two home runs and six RBIs in 12 games. Romo was 5-for-16 (.313) in 14 games.
“Good things happen when you trust your plan, trust your process and when you continue to work like I’m doing every single day with our coaching staff,” Lee said last week. “Just continuing to develop.”
Pitching
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Erick Fedde participates in media day at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Venable said on Saturday that the Sox are “still working it out” when it comes to configuring their starting rotation.
“Especially because a number of guys are still in the running for competition,” Venable said. “We are getting to some ideas, but still haven’t made any final decisions.”
Shane Smith is starting on opening day. But the rest of the rotation has not been announced. Anthony Kay, Davis Martin, Sean Burke, Erick Fedde, Chris Murphy, Jonathan Cannon and Mike Vasil have been among the pitchers stretched out.
“There hasn’t been a whole lot of conversation on if I’m in the rotation or not, I know they continue to build me up,” Fedde said after pitching 3 2/3 innings following Hagen Smith’s start Sunday against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium.
Fedde added with a chuckle, “I guess I try not to push the question on them.”
He continued, “Just keep trying to show up every day and do my job and shoot for that spot in the rotation.”
Vasil exited his most recent start on Saturday with right elbow soreness.
How the rotation shakes out will have a ripple effect on their bullpen plans. Venable announced on Saturday that Sean Newcomb, who has also been stretched out, would be a reliever.
Newcomb becomes one of the left-handers out of the bullpen. More possible left-handed bullpen options include Brandon Eisert, Tyler Gilbert and Ryan Borucki. And Murphy has past major-league experience as a reliever.
“There’s going to be some tough decisions, guys who are new but also guys that we have trust in and belief in,” Venable said on Thursday. “All of them have pitched extremely well. Hopefully there’s some separation here in performance. Hopefully we get everyone out of here healthy.
“There will be some things we’ll evaluate. To be honest, at this point no decisions have been made and they’ve all really put themselves in a really good spot to make this team.”
Center field
Chicago White Sox second baseman Luisangel Acuña signs a baseball for James Dykes, 14, of Elmurst, Ill., during spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Luisangel Acuña has seen time at shortstop and second this spring, but the bulk of his Cactus League games have been at center field.
Acuña started at center field again on Sunday. It was his eighth game this spring at the position.
“You see some things, a ranging play (Thursday against) San Francisco (in Scottsdale, Ariz.) that was really nice,” Venable said of Acuña’s defense in center field on Saturday. “Another play with a tough sky where the high fly ball that he broke back on. There’s little nuance to the center field position that he’s going to continue to experience, get reps at and learn from.
“But overall, he’s doing all the right things — throwing to the right bases, and more importantly the work he’s doing with (outfield coach José) Leger and (major league field coordinator Chris) Denorfia in the mornings. This guy’s really committed to improving and it’s showing up.”
As for the outfield as a whole, the Sox will have decisions to make dealing with their depth. Andrew Benintendi will see time in left field and at designated hitter. Fellow veteran Austin Hays will be at a corner outfield spot — either right field or left. Brooks Baldwin has been dealing with elbow soreness.
Everson Pereira, Derek Hill, Jarred Kelenic and Tristan Peters are among the players also in the mix.