Perhaps the solution to the White Sox pitching woes is a little penguin named Pepe. Before Sunday’s game against the Royals, Chicago trotted out Pepe to accompany Dr. Mike Adkesson, president and CEO of the Brookfield Zoo, for the ceremonial first pitch at Rate Field.

In his first MLB plate appearance, Teel drew a walk against 2024 All-Star Seth Lugo in the bottom of the second inning. Two innings later, Teel collected the first hit of his MLB career, flicking an opposite-field single off of Lugo to load the bases.