White Sox Rehab Set for Kyle Teel Tuesday

White Sox catcher Kyle Teel will start a Triple-A rehab assignment Tuesday after a hamstring strain. The Sox also credit defensive strides by rookie Murakami and focus on Cal Raleigh’s slump.

Kyle Teel is set to take the next step toward returning to the White Sox lineup, with the catcher scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday at Triple-A Charlotte.

The team said Teel will be joining Charlotte after recovering from a Grade 2 strain of his right hamstring suffered March 10. He was hurt while running out a double for Team Italy during the World Baseball Classic, a game in which Italy beat Team USA.

Teel. 24. had been expected to start his assignment about two weeks ago. but the timeline was pushed back after he tweaked the injury.. On Sunday. he appeared to be in good spirits following the White Sox’s 2-1 victory over the Mariners. expressing excitement about getting back on the field after a long stretch away from game action.

He said he is feeling “really good” right now and that the rehab period has been “a minute. ” adding that he wants to return quickly and contribute.. Teel also pointed to what he described as the team’s energy. citing the attitude in the clubhouse and the level of effort from players during a stretch of success.

The White Sox have not announced a specific date for Teel’s return to Chicago. He indicated he expects to be behind the plate at Charlotte on Tuesday, with a plan to serve as the designated hitter in his next game.

Teel said he believes he may catch only a limited number of innings at first. emphasizing that the schedule will be shaped by how his body responds.. He also suggested the injury limited more than his ability to handle the bat. noting that he has not had trouble catching and hitting “for some time. ” with the primary issue being running.

For the club. the rehab assignment is part of a broader evaluation of readiness. and general manager Chris Getz had earlier suggested that base-running could be the final step before Teel began the assignment.. That expectation appeared to be supported by workouts at Rate Field over the weekend. during which Teel resumed running the bases.

Meanwhile, Sunday’s game week storylines continued to include the team’s defensive work and player development.. Rookie first baseman Munetaka Murakami came into the day with a solid start to his defensive performance. settling for a single and an intentional walk during the game and remaining at 15 home runs.

While fans tend to focus on home runs, Sox bench coach Walker McKinven said the organization is increasingly noticing Murakami’s progress at first base. McKinven said Murakami has committed only two errors so far and is continuing to refine other elements of the position as the season moves forward.

Murakami’s improvement, McKinven said, is tied to his footwork around the bag, including the way he handles plays near first base. The coach also referenced how quickly he has been picking up baseballs at the bag, an aspect that has “gotten brushed under the rug” when attention goes elsewhere.

Still, the coaching staff is working on the next phase of development: adjusting to defensive shifts that can carry a player away from the standard position at first base. McKinven said the team wants Murakami to feel comfortable with that space off the bag and trust that he can get back in time.

On the offensive side of the Sox story, All-Star catcher Cal Raleigh remains a key focus heading into and through the series against the Mariners. The club kept Raleigh “on ice” in its victory, and the game continued to show how quickly momentum can swing for a hitter.

Raleigh. who hit 60 homers last season to set records for a catcher and for a switch-hitter. entered the series with a slump reflected in his most recent plate appearances.. He was hitless in his last 36 at-bats coming into Sunday’s action. with the only time he reached base in the series coming when right-hander Davis Martin walked him with two outs in the sixth inning.

Teammate banter has also found its way into the conversation about Raleigh’s slump and his reputation.. Sox outfielder Jarred Kelenic said he gave Raleigh the nickname “Big Dumper. ” a reference to Raleigh’s size when they were teammates in Seattle.. Kelenic said he believes he was the first one to call Raleigh that and added that the nickname was “earned” by the physical presence that fans and teammates notice.

The Sox’s weekend narrative also included moments of game management and tactical decision-making. In one play that stood out, Randy Arozarena sprinted in to make a catch on Miguel Vargas’ fly ball that Statcast measured at 243 feet.

Another example of aggressive decision-making came when Sox third-base coach Justin Jirschele sent Drew Romo, and the gamble paid off. The ability to take risks in the middle of a game, paired with situational judgment, has been a theme in the team’s approach during recent outings.

Manager Will Venable also tied some of the team’s movement to readiness and timing, saying Teel’s return is the “closest we’ve been.” In the same stretch, Miguel Vargas responded with power, hitting two home runs to help the Sox earn a 6-1 victory.

Venable also described the thought process behind how the Sox manage at-bats and pitcher-batter matchups.. He said the staff gives opponents a heads-up on areas that might be worth challenging and areas that should be avoided. pointing to the idea that preparation is built around knowing what to attack and what not to.

While the Sox’s recent record has drawn attention. their rise in May has not been something the team expected at the start of the month. nor was it something observers predicted around Major League Baseball.. Even within the organization, the progress has surprised players and staff as they navigate the grind of the season.

Kyle Teel rehab White Sox Munetaka Murakami Cal Raleigh slump Triple-A Charlotte hamstring strain