The Chicago White Sox faced an unexpected lineup change on Saturday night, as outfielder Andrew Benintendi was scratched just before the first pitch against the Seattle Mariners due to neck stiffness. The 31-year-old veteran, who was originally set to serve as the designated hitter, was replaced by Randal Grichuk in the lineup.
Benintendi's absence comes during a season where he's been finding his rhythm at the plate. Through 36 games, the left-handed hitter is batting .235 with two home runs and 17 RBIs—solid production for a player who's been a consistent presence in the outfield. Neck stiffness can be a tricky issue for hitters, especially when it comes to tracking pitches and generating bat speed, so the White Sox are likely taking a cautious approach with their veteran.
Meanwhile, there's encouraging news on the injury front for Chicago. Catcher Kyle Teel and outfielder Austin Hays both took live batting practice against pitcher Erick Fedde before the game, with Teel also running the bases for the second consecutive day. Teel, 24, has been sidelined since straining his right hamstring while representing Italy in the World Baseball Classic. In his first season with the White Sox last year, he impressed with a .273 average, eight home runs, and 35 RBIs over 78 games.
Manager Will Venable provided an optimistic update on Teel's progress: "I think we're getting closer, and certainly the closest we've been. We just want to make sure that when he leaves here, he's in a good spot. Make sure he recovers today, gets through tomorrow the right way, and then reevaluate after Sunday." The plan is for Teel to run again on Sunday before heading out on a minor league rehab assignment—a key step in his return to the lineup.
Hays, who's on the 10-day injured list with a left calf strain, is also making strides. Venable noted that running the bases on back-to-back days is "the last of the boxes to check" before he can begin his own rehab assignment. For White Sox fans, these updates signal that reinforcements are on the way, which could provide a much-needed boost to the team's depth as they navigate the early season grind.