Demoted White Sox starter Shane Smith showing improvement in Charlotte
Demoted White Sox Opening Day starting pitcher Shane Smith was set to make his third Triple-A start on Friday night for the Charlotte Knights as they hosted the Nashville Sounds.
The 26-year-old Smith has made progress with his mechanics in the minors, general manager Chris Getz said before Friday’s night’s series opener against the Nationals on the South Side. The 6-3 right-hander is 1-0 in two starts covering nine total innings with the Knights so far after struggling in three games with the Sox at the start of the season.
“We tasked him with some drill work and some areas to focus on with his delivery,” Getz said. “You know, his body changed a little bit in terms of delivery and we just wanted to get him back on track and he’s worked really hard and done pretty well.
“He’s got a start tonight and we’ll see how tonight goes.”
Smith became the first rookie pitcher in Sox history to be named an All-Star in 2025, when he went 7-8 with a 3.81 ERA through 29 starts.
But Smith was pounded in his first two outings of 2026, giving up a combined 12 runs (10 earned) in 4‰ innings. He had a better third start on April 7 against Baltimore, allowing just one hit and no runs in 3‰ innings. He struck out eight, but walked five and hit a batter.
Teel still healing
Catcher Kyle Teel was in the Sox clubhouse but still isn’t ready to report for a rehab assignment following a Grade 2 right hamstring strain he suffered on March 10. He got hurt running out a double for Team Italy during a win over the U.S. at the World Baseball Classic.
Teel reportedly was to be sent to Charlotte last Monday, but that was pushed back.
“We haven’t been able to get it quite to the finish line,” Getz said. “There’s always this final stage and a threshold needs to be met before we send someone else on a rehab.
“You know we want to be very careful when it comes to Kyle Teel and certainly a hamstring. I know he had a really good day yesterday and he feels good today.”
Teel, acquired from the Red Sox in the Garrett Crochet trade in December 2024, hit .273 with eight home runs and 35 RBI while walking 37 times in 297 plate appearances in 78 games for the Sox last season.
“He’s been out for a while now,” Getz added. “You know he missed a chunk of spring training and obviously all of the regular season so far. So I don’t have a finite number of the amount of games [needed in rehab]. You kind of read the situation.”
Hays, Murphy sent on rehab
Outfielder Austin Hays and left-handed reliever Chris Murphy are being sent to Charlotte on rehab assignments that start Saturday.
Hays has been out since sustaining a right hamstring strain on April 6 against the Orioles. Murphy went on the 15-day injured list with left elbow impingement syndrome following a one-inning outing against the Orioles on April 7 when he allowed a run.
Hays pulled up while pursuing Tyler O’Neill’s fly left in the fourth inning of a 2-1 loss to the Orioles. Manager Will Venable originally said Hays would miss two to four weeks.
The 30-year-old Hays signed a one-year, $6 million free-agent contract with the Sox in February. He’s batting .219 with a homer and six RBI in nine games.
Murphy is 1-0 with a 10.50 ERA in six games. He earned his second career save to cap a 3-0 Sox victory over the Blue Jays on April 5 when he pitched a scoreless ninth — and fielded a popup himself.