Teel feeling better and believes rehab stint is 'only a matter of time now'
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CHICAGO -- Kyle Teel is doing really well and feeling as if he’s getting better every day in dealing with a Grade 2 right hamstring strain.
After making that statement during a Wednesday morning interview with MLB.com, the upbeat White Sox catcher paused momentarily and laughed.
“It’s the same stuff every time,” Teel said. “I swear. But we are making great progress”
Teel sustained this injury running out a double for Team Italy in a victory over Team USA during a March 10 contest in the World Baseball Classic. The original diagnosis was Teel to be sidelined for 4-6 weeks, but he was confident for a much quicker return when talking near the end of Spring Training.
Approximately 10 days ago, Teel was on track for a Minor League rehab assignment with general manager Chris Getz discussing the possibility in a media session. But Teel dealt with a setback in regard to his running, delaying that trip.
“Nothing insane. It was just like really starting to grab at me more and more so we dialed it back,” Teel said. “We didn’t start from scratch, because I had made so much progress. We dialed it back a little bit and went from there.
“I’m getting better every day. It really is feeling better. That’s huge. So, it’s only a matter of time now.”
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There’s no set rehab assignment timetable for Teel, who continues to feel great hitting and catching. He’s being cautious with the running, under the White Sox guidance, but he wants to get back as soon as possible.
With Teel being out of baseball action for close to two months, it seems certain his rehab assignment will be longer than a game or two.
“Hitting is great. The catching is great. Throwing is great. It’s really running. That’s it,” Teel said. “As a guy that likes to redline it a lot, it’s good to be careful.
“I’ve had that itch to get out on the field for a long time now, but it’s really starting to sting now. I really want to get out there. I’m just trying to be as diligent as I can with listening to my body. Deep down, I’m dying to get out there.”
A solid start for the 2026 White Sox as a team only should be enhanced when their starting catcher returns to the field.
“This team is so fun,” Teel said. “When I’m back, it’s going to feel like the best day of my life.
“Honestly, I never realized how great it is to be healthy. I’ve always been healthy and I’m grateful for that. I feel like I have a different appreciation now.”