Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world heading into the weekend:
1. Teel to debut:
It’s an exciting day for White Sox fans. Top catching prospect Kyle Teel is slated to be promoted to the majors for the first time today. The centerpiece of the return for Garrett Crochet, Teel was beaten to the majors by infielder Chase Meidroth but is a consensus top-50 prospect in the sport who has slashed .295/.394/.492 in 50 games at the Triple-A level this year. The 23-year-old was drafted 14th overall just two years ago and will become the tenth player from the first round of his draft class to make his big league debut. The White Sox are currently splitting time behind the plate between Korey Lee and Edgar Quero, and it’s not yet clear how playing time will be divided between the three or if one of the other two catchers will be optioned to Triple-A. Teel has begun to take some reps at first base as well. Chicago’s 40-man roster is at capacity, meaning the club will need to make a corresponding move in order to select Teel.
2. Series Preview: Cubs @ Tigers
The two best records in baseball are set to meet for a three-game set this weekend as the Cubs head to Detroit to take on the Tigers. After squeaking into the playoffs by the skin of their teeth last year, things have really come together for Detroit in 2025. Longtime prospect Spencer Torkelson is breaking out, and the addition of Gleyber Torres has been a boon to the team’s infield production.
Meanwhile, the Cubs improved their fortunes by trading for star outfielder Kyle Tucker over the winter, and that addition has been complemented by the breakout of center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. Game 1 will see reigning AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal (2.26 ERA) take on Cubs youngster Ben Brown (5.72 ERA). Game 2 will feature Cubs veteran Jameson Taillon (3.76 ERA) on the bump against righty Keider Montero (4.02 ERA), while the series finale will pit top Cubs prospect Cade Horton (3.51 ERA) against right-hander Jack Flaherty (3.72 ERA).
3. Langeliers undergoes MRI:
The A’s are waiting for more information on the status of catcher Shea Langeliers after he departed in the middle of his at-bat due to pain in his left side. The club has termed it a “left flank injury” to this point, and MLB.com’s Martin Gallegos reports that Langeliers underwent an MRI last night for further evaluation. It wouldn’t be a shock to see the catcher wind up on the injured list for at least some time, and if that were to happen the club would likely be left to utilize a tandem of Willie MacIver and Jhonny Pereda — a notable offensive downgrade.
However, manager Mark Kotsay suggested back in spring training that Tyler Soderstrom — who started several games behind the dish in Cactus League play — could still be an occasional option at catcher. He’s considered a sub-par defender there, but on a short-term basis he could fill in. Soderstrom hasn’t caught in 2025 beyond those spring training reps. He also only logged one big league game there in 2024, but he started 21 minor league games at catcher last year and has 165 professional games (not including spring training) at the position.
Left flank…its what’s for dinner.
Sounds like they took him to a veterinarian to get that diagnosis.
Is someone who cures plants a vegerinarian?
Vegan advocates should give you one cent for each click
I think this year the Cubs and Tigers should party like it’s 1945. Just don’t put it on freakin AppleTV.
I’ll be listening to the Cubs vs. Tigers games that’ll be a good series!
Apple TV+ here.
Marquee, to see the Tigers.
I love having MLB TV and not be able to watch Cubs and White Sox games because of blackouts…
Acoss1331: I might invest in an antenna. The Sox stink but they’re still my team and I’d like to watch them without putting money in reinsdorf’s pocket. I miss the Blackhawks, too
Avenger,
Anything to not give Jerry your money is already a win.
One would thunk by MLB increasing the price of MLB TV every year. They would have the decency to get rid of blackout restrictions. Or how about this. Let customers watch all games through the MLB tv app no matter what the stream is. Have it become one big streaming service. Not a single person is gonna go out of their own way to get Roku Freakin’ TV
White Sox got a great deal for one year of Crochet.Meidroth, Teel and Braden Montgomery.
Crochet had two years left before free agency at trade time, but yeah they got a haul.
Good catch.
I just don’t understand the Sox’ fascination with Lee. Their “Catcher of the Future” isn’t good. In my opinion he’s behind Quero and Teel by a lot.
Avenger – Lee isn’t the catcher of the future and they don’t think he is. Quero and Teel are in whatever capacity they’ll be used in tandem. Lee is a backup
Now if only they could put a winning team around him… >.>
I knew Crochet would be good for Boston. He’s be good for any team.
Meidroth looks like the real deal. He did nothing but hit (and walk, too) against the Tigers this week. The White Sox look like they might have a decent team in the not too distant future.
Ohtani got pulled into the manager’s office, thinking he’s in trouble.
Just as importantly for ChiSox fans, CHSN has been added to Xfinity on a premium tier in the Sox’ TV territory. Official announcement was yesterday (6/5).
How about no more blackouts for their games on MLB tv…
Best we can do is 6 more Apple TV+ games
Those MLB blackout rules are absurd. If you pay for MLB.TV you should be able to watch any dang game you wish.
In Indianapolis area we are “blacked out” from White Sox, Cubs, Reds and I believe Cardinals last I checked. Makes no sense, IN has no MLB team.
Move to Switzerland. No blackouts here (-:
I’m near Chicago and don’t get Cubs, Sox and for some reason the Cardinals. I rarely watch anything other than the Cubs but when I throw mlb.tv on I get the lock on those three teams.
Milwaukee is quite a bit closer to where I am at and no issues with them—but St. Louis???
A’s catcher Daniel Susac is ready in AAA.
Orioles catcher Bassalo is ready also. I wonder if the Orioles would trade Adley Rutschman?
Drake Baldwin is doing great for the Braves. I wonder if the Braves would deal Sean Murphy? Yankees could use a boost at catcher.
I wonder if the Braves are thinking of selling? They are 7 games under .500. The Mets and Phillies are running away with the division. They have some great trade pieces… Ozuna, Murphy, I wonder if Sale is available? He has a team option for next season.
BobGibsonFan: Rutschman’s real value is handling pitchers. They might not trade him just for that alone.
Once again I pay for Marquee and MLB.com and can’t watch one of the more interesting games of the season. I must be nuts.
It’s a trade off Unclemike1526. That means you’re team is good. They are not on Apple if they are bad. You can’t watch the Cubs games on mlb.tv any way and same situation happens on Sunday night games.
You know going in that there will be a short list of games that isn’t going to be on. You can always ask Marquee for the 98 cents a game it costs you back.
It’s slightly inconvenient, yet manageable. This happens in the NFL also.
I “think” this is the last Apple game for the Cubs. The Cubs/Yankees game upcoming doesn’t look like it’s on Apple.
I’m in Charlotte NC. Will I get tonights Tigers and Cubs game? I have all games on the MLB.Com
You can watch the game 90 minutes after the game is over on the mlb app
The playing time will likely be devided the same way it was when Thaiss was on the White Sox with Quero and Lee; one Catching, one DH’ing, and one on the bench
One bourbon, one scotch and one beer.
Since Lee was just optioned we can scratch all that
I wonder about that phrase, “Breaking Out”.
Was Torkelson in jail? Has he joined Thin Lizzy?
Is hitting home runs kinda like the measles….?
Or…. are we privy to some sort of secret stash he has hidden somewhere?
First place? Works for me…..
The Cubs are meeting the Tigers at the right time. Their play was sloppy against the ChiSox, especially base running.
It has been a good trade so far for both teams.Meridoth broke up Garrett’s no/ no I was at… One thing I find humorous in above… “Teel has also taken reps at first base” And the Red Sox saga continues…LOL…..