The wait for Kyle Teel might have been extended.
Playing for Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday during his long-awaited rehab stint, Teel tweaked his right knee during a swing. Teel was not in Charlotte’s lineup Sunday, and White Sox manager Will Venable said the 24-year-old catcher will be reevaluated Monday.
On March 10, Teel strained his right hamstring playing for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic. He finally began his rehab assignment Tuesday, raising hope that his return would be imminent.
Venable didn’t seem too alarmed by the Teel situation.
“It would be premature to get too down the road on where we’re at or evaluate the concern for it,” Venable said. “We just want to figure out what is going on there and evaluate where’s he’s at, see how he responded to the treatment from last night and go from there.”
Without Teel, the Sox have used Edgar Quero, Drew Romo and Reese McGuire behind the plate. The results haven’t been great: Sox catchers have combined to hit .166 with a .271 on-base percentage.
At least recently, Romo has given the Sox something from the position. He has four homers and a .364 on-base percentage. The pitchers also seem to like throwing to him. Davis Martin said Saturday that Romo can correct him when a pitch misses and picks up a batter’s movement in the box.
“Drew brings in what he saw the day before and a really good picture of what their offense is trying to do to us and how fast we can make those adjustments,” said Martin, who has an 0.96 ERA over 18 2/3 innings throwing to Romo. “He’s a calming presence back there and he’s been incredible.”