Teel (hamstring) progressing with rehab, timetable unclear

This story was excerpted from Scott Merkin’s White Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

CHICAGO – Kyle Teel was the first of the White Sox charges introduced prior to their 5-4 victory in 10 innings over the Blue Jays during Friday afternoon’s home opener at Rate Field. His work with the team was limited to advisor and support staff following that pregame moment.

The high-energy catcher continues to move his way back from a Grade 2 right hamstring strain suffered on March 10 while running out a double for Team Italy in a victory over Team USA during the World Baseball Classic. It’s a necessary recovery process, but a unique situation for the 24-year-old.

“This is my first time having an injury in this game. So, it’s definitely weird,” Teel told MLB.com Friday morning in the home clubhouse. “I love playing, so it’s tough. But everything happens for a reason, so going day by day.”

“Oh, Kyle’s one of our best players,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “You’re going to miss that guy any time he goes down and he’s not with the group out there … We’ve just got to continue to keep pushing.”

I talked with Teel near the end of Spring Training, and he was confidently discussing a return some time shortly after the home opener. On Friday, Teel wasn’t sure on the exact timeline, aside from being just over three weeks out from an injury projected to sideline him 4 to 6 weeks.

It’s understandable how the return is an inexact science. Teel wants to be out on the field, but more than anything, he wants this hamstring injury to be a one and done situation within the 2026 season.

“Honestly, I feel much better this week,” Teel said. “It’s going well. From the way I’ve been feeling, it’s been a steady incline.

“From what everyone who has hamstring injuries tells me, there’s going to be a day where it just feels really, really good. That’s when you make that big jump. I feel like I’m coming up on that day really soon.”

There weren’t any setbacks, per se, for Teel, but there were a couple of times when the injury was pulling at him and left Teel in a great deal of pain. Even those days are good, according to Teel, as it’s breaking up scar tissue.

“Those days result in coming back sooner. Rough days for sure, but it’s all part of it,” Teel said. “I’ll probably start hitting middle of this week. I shut the hitting down just because of my lead leg, that’s when it would lock, and it would stop my lower half. That’s when I would really, really feel it.

“More than even running. I just made sure to be slow with that. I’ll hit off a tee next week. That’s the No. 1 thing that’s taking the longest. The running is going great. I’ll probably hit 90 percent today. But [with] the hitting we have to be careful: It’s a long season.”

A Minor League rehab assignment to Triple-A Charlotte is not too far off for Teel. For now, though, it’s rehab, Opening Day introductions and dugout assists.

“Yeah, I think it’s important to be healthy when I get back out there,” Teel said. “That’s the No. 1 thing. I don’t want this to linger all season.

“At the same time, I’m still trying to help the team win right now. I’m able to do certain things like talk to our pitchers, talk to some hitters, and work on scouting reports. I’m just doing my best to help this team in any way I can.”

Edgar Quero and Reese McGuire are managing the catching duties in Teel’s injury absence, with the switch-hitting Quero already penciled in as Teel’s co-pilot behind the plate. The White Sox also have Korey Lee and Drew Romo at the position with Charlotte.