Teel staying upbeat in clubhouse after injury in Classic

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Kyle Teel walked into the White Sox home clubhouse Friday morning, hours before his team’s Cactus League contest against the Cubs at Camelback Ranch, and exuded the same positive energy characterizing his demeanor.

He shook hands and exchanged hugs with his teammates, spoke in his customary upbeat manner during a media session in front of his locker and seemed ready for the work at hand.

The injured version of the White Sox catcher, dealing with a Grade 2 right hamstring strain sustained while playing with Team Italy at the World Baseball Classic, looked awfully similar to the healthy 24-year-old.

“The way I look at it is, ‘How can I go through this and come back better than I was before?’” Teel said of dealing with the injury. “That’s my No. 1 goal. Whether it’s four to six weeks, three weeks, we’re going to have to wait and see how I respond to everything. I’m feeling better, but I want to come out of this stronger than before.”

“There is plenty of work to do between diving into opposing hitters, the relationship with pitchers,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “There’s a lot of things you can accomplish while he’s not using his body.”

General manager Chris Getz spoke of Teel being out of action for four to six weeks after he sustained the injury on March 10 as part of Italy’s 8-6 victory over Team USA. Teel, who homered off Nolan McLean for the first run of that game, explained the injury coming off a sixth-inning double in detail on Friday.

“I hit first base and I didn’t slow down,” Teel said. “But I peaked my head up to look where the ball was and I think I kicked it into another gear when I saw how close the outfielder was. I just felt it. I just felt it tightened up right away. I made sure to get to second base but it is what it is.”

Teel made no estimate on a timeline for his return. In the interim, Edgar Quero and Korey Lee will handle work behind the plate, with Lee starting – and going 2-for-2 with a solo home run – against the Cubs.

With the importance of Teel to this team and taking the catching position into question, the White Sox won’t rush Teel beyond his limits.

“Certainly the physical demands of the catching position will be accounted for in his rehabilitation,” Venable said. “We’ll take it day by day and he’ll make sure he has all the flexibility and stability he needs to hit, to run and also catch.

“You have no idea. Hopefully it’s quicker. It could be longer. I expressed to Kyle, hamstring, you want to put those in the rearview mirror and make sure as you progress, you are being really mindful of the long term here. As excited as he’s going to be to get going and be out there, you have to make sure he’s healthy.”

If Teel had his druthers, he would be taking on Puerto Rico with Italy in the WBC quarterfinals on Saturday. He stayed in Houston to watch Italy take out Mexico in pool play, but will be watching the remainder of the action on television as he goes through rehab work in Glendale.

Even before departing for the WBC, Teel spoke of Italy surprising people in the tournament. Their run also became a great learning experience for the young catcher.

“We’re winning games on the biggest stage and we weren’t supposed to,” Teel said. “The way Vinnie Pasquantino leads a team is just something I’m taking note of. The way he goes about his business, the way he talks to everybody. He has a way of making people feel included but also making sure people get their work done. He can be light but also be serious. I think being with that group, I learned a lot.

“Italy has been surprising the world, and I hope we continue to do so. Overall, I would say being with a group of guys … we got close very quick. We share something that’s very close to us.”

A thrilling, almost startling victory over Team USA was not marred by injury for Teel. Quite the contrary.

“That was probably one of the most fun baseball games I’ve ever been a part of,” Teel said. “I don’t even have words to describe it. It was just unbelievable. I’m just so grateful to be in that game.”