Austin Hays is nearing a return from the injured list, providing a timely boost to a White Sox lineup still awaiting Kyle Teel’s recovery and looking to build on recent offensive momentum.
It won’t be long now before the Chicago White Sox get more help in their everyday lineup.
Fans have been waiting on the return of catcher Kyle Teel since before Opening Day. He went down in the World Baseball Classic with a hamstring strain while running out a double against Team USA. But there’s still some uncertainty surrounding Teel's timeline. He has yet to begin a rehab stint and is still having trouble running. So even though it’s been over six weeks, and the initial estimate was a 4–6 week recovery, it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when he’ll be back without a clearer rehab schedule.
The White Sox, however, should be getting veteran outfielder Austin Hays back shortly, and that will go a long way toward shoring up what’s been the weakest part of the lineup in 2026.
Hays appeared in nine games before landing on the injured list, hitting .219 with one home run and six RBIs before suffering a hamstring strain.
He wasn’t fully locked in at the plate over that small sample, but one thing Hays did well was deliver in key spots. His veteran approach showed up in run-producing situations, and he was riding a four-game hitting streak before going down.
Hays began his rehab stint on Saturday and was in the starting lineup for Triple-A Charlotte, batting second as the designated hitter. He hit a home run in his first game with the Knights.
Hays returns to left field with Knights on Sunday afternoon.
Once Hays is back in the fold, and even more so once Teel returns, the White Sox should feel much better about the lineup they’re rolling out on a daily basis.
Miguel Vargas, Colson Montgomery, and Munetaka Murakami have all been red hot, carrying the team from an offensive standpoint. Sam Antonacci has held his own since debuting, while Andrew Benintendi and Everson Pereira have also been swinging the bat well of late.
Add Hays and Teel to that mix, and suddenly you’re looking at a complete lineup of capable big league hitters that should help sustain the positive momentum the White Sox have built over the past week or so.
On Sunday afternoon, Chicago takes on the Washington Nationals at Rate Field with a chance to secure a third consecutive series win. A victory would move the White Sox to 12–16, with more reinforcements from the injured list not far behind.
Hays was one of my favorite signings of the offseason because of the steady veteran presence he brings and the way he raises the team’s offensive floor. That still holds true now, and his return can’t come soon enough—especially with players like Tristan Peters, Tanner Murray, and Derek Hill continuing to see regular at-bats against left-handed pitching.