BALTIMORE — Monday marked one week since Kyle Teel made his much-anticipated return from the injured list.
And the Chicago White Sox catcher continues to get settled in.
“It’s been great, honestly, being able to play in games again, being able to work with the pitching staff — other than just in the bullpen,” Teel told the Tribune on Monday at Camden Yards. “I’m just so grateful to be back on the field, playing the game I love with my brothers.
“When I was on the IL, it was fun to be around the guys. But now to contribute and be with these guys, it’s just phenomenal, I’m having a blast.”
Teel, 24, suffered a right hamstring strain March 10 while playing for Italy during the World Baseball Classic. He then had a setback while working his way back, spraining the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee May 16 during an injury rehab stint with Triple-A Charlotte.
He bounced back and joined the Sox on June 22.
“Overall, my favorite thing would be working with the pitchers in-game,” Teel said. “In my career so far, I’ve made it a priority just to be there for those guys, be there for the pitching staff. And to execute that has been a lot of fun for me.
“I really like how our guys are attacking the zone right now. I think it’s really important to get ahead and get the first two out of three (strikes), I think that’s been most impressive.”
Teel had an impressive night aiding the pitchers on Automated Ball-Strike challenges Monday, with four calls being overturned from balls to strikes. That included the final pitch of the game, as the Sox ended a nine-game losing streak against the Baltimore Orioles with an 8-2 win.
“With the (ABS) challenges, I feel like it’s just letting them come to me,” Teel told reporters after Monday’s game. “Sometimes I try and force it. And not playing the game for a while, it’s just like learning that strike zone again. And it’s not easy. So I feel like it’s just letting it come to me, not forcing anything.”
Teel isn’t forcing anything in the batter’s box, as well. He entered Tuesday 5-for-22 (.227) with one home run, six RBIs and three runs through six games.
“I feel like I’m starting to settle in a little bit, just really trying to focus on the right things at the plate,” Teel said. “Not trying to be result-oriented. Really focus on my process and my routine, what do I have to do to get myself ready. And then just not overdoing it, not taking too many swings, not doing too much. I feel like I’m definitely settling in.”
Tuesday, the Sox inserted Teel into the leadoff spot for the first time this season.
“Teel, anywhere in the lineup, we really like,” manager Will Venable said before Tuesday’s game.
Venable said consistently being able to write Teel into the lineup has been “really nice.”
“I think all of us came into this year thinking Kyle is, if not our best player, one of our best players, certainly, and a guy that can just impact the game in a lot of different ways,” Venable said. “And I feel like, maybe after the first couple days, getting his feet back underneath him, he’s really settled in, done a great job behind the plate.
“The interactions in between innings, with (bench coach) Walker (McKinven, who also works with the catchers) and (pitching coach Zach Bove) on pitch adjustments and game planning adjustments have been great. The things he’s done at the plate, behind the plate, and just his presence in the clubhouse has all been impactful.”
Teel is excited to be helping in any way again.
“The first game I caught, it was crazy how sore I was after a big-league game compared to the rehab assignment games,” Teel said. “And not sore like where I was injured, just overall, total body soreness. But then as I started to relax, as I started to play more games I feel like my body adapts quickly so I feel definitely ready to catch back-to-back. I feel ready to catch as many as they need me to.
“I’m just excited to keep going and keep working with the guys.”
