Catcher Kyle Teel is close to going on another rehab assignment. Hopefully for the White Sox, he doesn’t get hurt on this one, too.
Teel hasn’t played in a major-league game since straining his right hamstring with Team Italy during the World Baseball Classic in March. On a rehab assignment in May at Triple-A Charlotte, he sprained the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee and was moved to the 60-day injured list.
“I don’t think there’s an exact date which we’re pinpointing for him to go out on an assignment, but definitely progress,” Sox manager Will Venable said Friday. “He’s hitting on the field, running on the field, doing the catching drills. So it’s a matter of continued recovery and just pushing the intensity a little bit. I think it could be a matter of days before we send him out.”
The Sox’ 40-man roster stands at 39, so Teel would go back on without the need for a corresponding move. However, either Edgar Quero or Drew Romo probably would come off the 26-man roster. Though both have been fine behind the plate, neither has been impressive beside it. In fact, Sox catchers have a combined .539 OPS, third-worst in baseball.
In 78 games last season, Teel had eight homers and a .786 OPS. He’s by far a better hitter than either Quero or Romo, who has flashed some pop with five homers, but three came in his first five games. Quero has only two.
Hicks goes on rehab assignment
Right-handed reliever Jordan Hicks will begin a rehab assignment Saturday at Triple-A Charlotte. Hicks, who went on the injured list May 23 with a right lat strain, told the Sun-Times he should need only one or two outings before returning to the Sox. He said he won’t be limited in what he throws while on assignment.
“I’m not just going to go out there and throw heaters, but I’ll be throwing everything,” he said. “Try to feel what I’ve been working on, not think about it too much.
“I feel pretty good. Looking to go out there and feel good first outing. Hopefully get some guys out and feel ready to come back.”
In 20 appearances this season, Hicks has thrown 17 ⅔ innings, allowing 11 earned runs, 20 hits and 17 walks with 15 strikeouts.
Noah’s arc nears rehab
Left-hander Noah Schultz, who has been on the injured list since May 26 with right knee tendinitis, responded well to his bullpen session Thursday in which he could be heard popping the catcher’s glove. Venable said Schultz will throw another bullpen Saturday.
“Assuming that goes well, he’ll go out on assignment and throw a few innings in Charlotte,” Venable said.
In eight starts this season, Schultz has a 5.82 ERA in 38 ⅔ innings. He has walked 22 and struck out 33.
Notes
Left-hander Anthony Kay rebounded from a rough outing last Friday against the Phillies, likely benefitting from extra rest. In five innings against the Dodgers, Kay allowed two runs and four hits with one walk and seven strikeouts. He already had been pushed back one day, and the rainout Thursday gave him another.
• Second baseman Chase Meidroth singled in his first at-bat Friday, extending his hitting streak to 12 games. He also has reached base safely in 22 consecutive games. Meidroth entered the game leading all qualifying American League second basemen in average (.273), on-base percentage (.343) and OPS (.731).
• Venable said the Sox might keep their rotation intact for the series next week against the Yankees, considering their game Thursday against the Braves was rained out and they have a day off Monday. He said they’ll evaluate after the Dodgers series.