White Sox Finally Make Roster Move Fans Have Been Asking For

After another lengthy absence, catcher Kyle Teel is finally back with the Chicago White Sox, and this time around, the team made the corresponding roster move that fans have been begging for.

With Teel activated ahead of a weekend series against the Minnesota Twins, catcher Drew Romo has been optioned to Triple-A Charlotte.

Romo first earned a promotion to the White Sox on April 25, and he's managed to stick on the active roster for nearly the entire season. In 60 games and 203 plate appearances, Romo is batting just .141. He does have seven (7) home runs on the year, but his OPS remains at just .527.

That overall lack of offense has led to plenty of White Sox fans advocating for Romo to be sent down. But time after time, he's survived previous roster moves.

The White Sox clearly valued Romo over Edgar Quero. Quero was regularly the odd man out whenever a catcher needed to be sent down. Even after hitting .370 with a .933 OPS over an eight-game stretch, it was still Quero who found himself on the outside looking in when Chicago claimed Jake Rogers off waivers on August 14.

Romo's defense and game-calling were a big reason for that. Numerous injuries to Teel, Joey Bart breaking his hand and Quero's own offensive struggles also helped Romo stick around for an extended period despite an offensive performance that left plenty to be desired.

For a while, it seemed as if the White Sox were preparing to carry three catchers after rosters expanded in September, allowing them to activate Teel from the IL while keeping both Rogers and Romo on the team. Once the White Sox picked up Tommy Pham, however, it became clear that was no longer in the cards.

Romo became the clear odd man out.

Teel should handle regular catching duties now that he's back, with Rogers getting an occasional start when a left-handed pitcher is on the mound. Even in a season where his overall offensive numbers have been down, Rogers has a .788 OPS against left-handers.

Interestingly, Romo is remaining with the White Sox on the taxi squad despite technically being optioned to Charlotte. Chicago clearly values what he's brought to the clubhouse and his impact on the pitching staff through his defense and game-calling (sometimes a bit too much). Perhaps he can still provide something of value to the White Sox down the stretch without occupying a spot on the active roster.

Teel's return, though, is a clear upgrade and provides White Sox fans with a sigh of relief. This team desperately needs a shift in energy and all hands on deck for the home stretch of the 2026 season.

Teel recorded at least one hit in five of six games during his most recent rehab assignment, including a double and a home run. If he can carry some of that offensive production back to Chicago, it would provide a massive lift to a White Sox lineup that has had quite a few players going through slumps recently.

At this point in the season, the White Sox can't afford to leave potential upgrades on the table. Teel gives them a better offensive option behind the plate, and after months of waiting for Romo's bat to come around, Chicago finally made the roster decision that had become increasingly difficult to avoid.