Kyle Teel, Drew Thorpe, Chris Murphy, and Davis Martin could provide much-needed reinforcements as the White Sox chase an AL Central title.
It's all hands on deck in a pennant race as the Chicago White Sox barrel toward the end of the 2026 season with 30 games remaining and a 2.5-game lead in the AL Central entering play on Wednesday.
The primary area where Chicago needs roster help is the pitching staff. The White Sox need innings, and as things currently stand, they only have two reliable starting pitchers.
It's more than just the pitching staff, however, that could stand to improve. And we may be on the verge of seeing some significant roster changes.
At the start of September, rosters will expand from 26 to 28 players, allowing the White Sox to call up the internal help they need. We could also see the White Sox get some reinforcements as players return from injury.
Four White Sox players are currently working their way back from injuries, and each of them could soon be headed to Chicago.
Catcher Kyle Teel started another rehab assignment as he works his way back from his third major injury of 2026. It was a left ankle sprain for Teel this time around, and he was in the lineup for the Triple-A Charlotte Knights on Tuesday evening. He finished one for four with a single and a walk.
Then there's right-handed pitcher Drew Thorpe, an arm I've had my eye on for quite some time. Thorpe debuted for the White Sox in 2024 and showed a lot of promise. He also holds a 22-3 record with a 2.27 ERA in his minor league career, pointing toward a bright future as a member of the White Sox starting rotation.
Given the team's current need for rotation help, it only makes sense for Thorpe to get an opportunity in Chicago soon. But the White Sox seem to be taking their time with his return as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.
On Tuesday night, Thorpe made his third rehab start with Triple-A Charlotte and his fifth consecutive rehab appearance with at least four innings pitched. He threw 4.2 innings and allowed two earned runs with three strikeouts, reaching a season-high 87 pitches.
Between Birmingham and Charlotte over his last five outings, Thorpe has posted a 2.38 ERA, with opponents hitting just .220 against him.
Left-handed relief pitcher Chris Murphy landed on the IL with a left flexor strain. He also pitched Tuesday night and threw a scoreless inning in relief for Charlotte.
Starting pitcher Davis Martin, who has been sidelined by a blister, is thought to be close to returning as well. He threw a bullpen session on Tuesday and should begin a rehab assignment shortly, signaling a potential return before the end of the regular season.
According to Scott Merkin of MLB.com, the initial thought regarding Teel's return is that the White Sox could keep three catchers on the active roster, with Jake Rogers and Drew Romo both remaining with the team.
It also seems like a no-brainer for the White Sox to add as many potential innings as possible for the home stretch of the season. Between Teel, Thorpe, Murphy, and Martin, help is on the way for a White Sox team trying to close out an AL Central title.
