Trio of rehabbing White Sox make appearance for Triple-A Charlotte

HOUSTON -- Right-hander Drew Thorpe, catcher Kyle Teel and reliever Huascar Brazobán made injury rehab appearances for Triple-A Charlotte Wednesday night at Gwinnett.

Here’s a look at how each one performed during a 4-2 loss for the Knights.

How did they perform?

Thorpe yielded two runs on four hits over five innings, throwing 66 pitches. Thorpe struck out three without a walk in his fourth start for the Knights and eighth overall throughout this Minor League rehab assignment.

“That crazy wild journey for him and just really happy he’s out there pitching, but for me it’s more than that,” said White Sox manager Will Venable. “Drew is a real option for us as we get through and there are needs. He’ll be considered.

“He’s been good, efficient, bouncing back. That’s the most important thing, that he’s healthy and feeling good and responding well to the outings and the treatment and recovery and all that and also throwing strikes. His stuff is effective.”

Teel finished 1-for-3 with a strikeout, playing behind the plate and working with Thorpe, after homering on Tuesday night. Brazobán pitched a perfect sixth following Thorpe, needing just 11 pitches.

“You've got to see where he's at as far as his health,” said Venable of Brazobán, who was sidelined by a left lat strain. “We've got to see where we're at as far as our needs.

“Obviously he's somebody that we acquired and feel really strongly about as part of the formula to help us win games. Most importantly it's just about him getting healthy, getting reps underneath him and being able to recover well."

What’s next?

Thorpe remains in the mix to help the White Sox at some point in September, as does Brazobán. There’s still no timetable for a return for Teel, who has 22 at-bats over six games for the Knights during this rehab stint for a high left ankle sprain. He also has battled through a Grade 2 right hamstring strain and a sprained lateral collateral ligament in his right knee.

What are they saying?

"Nothing imminent, no date, just continue to have him kind of bounce back and forth between DH and catching. He's in a good spot, getting some good volume with his at-bats, with the catching and make sure he's really nice and cooked and ready to go when we get him." -- Venable on Teel

What else?

It was July 31, 2024 when Thorpe last appeared in a big league game.

Venable spoke Wednesday of Shane Smith being a bullpen possibility down the stretch for the White Sox. The team’s Opening Day starter has moved to relief work with the Knights.

“I think he's an option,” said Venable. “I was looking at the videos today. We talked through kind of transitioning to the bullpen and you get the reports every day. He looks really good. So as we know we're going to need different help down the stretch here that he'll certainly be an option."