Kyle Teel is back on the move, and Drew Thorpe kept his rehab rolling Tuesday night as the White Sox continue to piece together help for September.
Teel, who was back in Charlotte for another step in his recovery, started at designated hitter and went 1-for-4 in Triple-A Charlotte’s 8-2 win over Memphis at Truist Field. He drew a walk, singled and struck out once, giving the White Sox another look at where he stands after a year that has been derailed by injuries.
“I’m just excited, looking forward to it,” said Teel before departing Rate Field for Charlotte. “It’s been a rough year so far in regard to being able to play, but having the opportunity to help the team win and add value is really what I'm looking forward to doing.”
The White Sox have a planned schedule in place for Teel, and it includes work behind the plate in addition to time as the DH. The goal is simple: get him enough plate appearances while he continues building back from a Grade 2 right hamstring strain suffered while running out a double for Team Italy on March 10 in the World Baseball Classic, and a sprained lateral collateral ligament in his right knee that came on May 16 when his cleat caught in a swing for Charlotte.
“My goal is just to get out there and make sure my body's feeling right. And then it will be go time,” Teel said. “So hopefully sooner than later.
“It was fairly straightforward with the ankle. Every day it's just a little bit better than the last. Compared to the other injuries I’ve dealt with this year, they were kind of up and down, this has been pretty straightforward.”
Teel also laid out the bigger-picture target plainly.
“My goal is to be here as soon as I can. And then it's to play in October.
It starts with September, right? So, we’ve got to really focus on the details, play good baseball and then October is the goal.” - Teel.
Thorpe, meanwhile, logged 4 2/3 innings for Charlotte and threw 87 pitches, 53 for strikes. He allowed two runs on six hits, struck out three and walked one. It was another important checkpoint for the right-hander, who is scheduled to pitch again Sunday.
This was Thorpe’s eighth Minor League start and his fourth for the Knights. He has not pitched in the Majors since 2024, but he remains a candidate to help the American League Central leaders in September.
Charlotte also got a rehab inning from left-hander Chris Murphy, who worked a scoreless frame while coming back from a left flexor strain.
Right-hander Davis Martin is expected to join the rehab group in Charlotte soon after throwing a bullpen Tuesday. He is recovering from a blister on his right middle finger.
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