CHICAGO (AP) \u2014 Kyle Teel is back with the Chicago White Sox after missing most of the season because of injuries.<\/p>\n
Teel was activated from the 10-day injured list on Friday, and fellow catcher Drew Romo was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte. Teel went 0 for 3 in Chicago\u2019s 4-1 victory<\/a> over Minnesota, flying out to the warning track in right in the fifth inning.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously his story this year of injuries and some of the setbacks has been tough for him,\u201d manager Will Venable said before the series opener against the Twins. \u201cBut really excited to have him back in the lineup, back behind the plate. To get his energy back in the clubhouse, back on the field, it really means a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n Chicago (74-67) leads the AL Central by 2 1\/2 games over Cleveland. It is looking to secure an unlikely playoff berth after losing at least 101 games in each of the previous three years.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is what I envisioned. Being able to come back and help the team,\u201d Teel said.<\/p>\n Teel, a first-round pick in the 2023 amateur draft, was acquired by Chicago when it traded Garrett Crochet<\/a> to Boston in December 2024. He hit .273 with eight homers and 35 RBIs in 78 games last year in his rookie season.<\/p>\n But Teel has appeared in just 20 big league games this year, hitting .182 with two homers and 14 RBIs.<\/p>\n He strained his right hamstring<\/a> while playing for Italy in the World Baseball Classic. Then he hurt his right knee<\/a> while on a rehab assignment for Charlotte.<\/p>\n He made his season debut for Chicago on June 22. But he injured his left ankle<\/a> trying to tag a runner at home in the second inning of a 10-3 victory<\/a> at Texas on July 20. He was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain.<\/p>\n \u201cImmediately when it happened, it really felt terrible,\u201d Teel said. \u201cWhen the doctors said 12 weeks potentially, I just prayed that night. And I just feel blessed that I was able to come back so much sooner. I\u2019m just so grateful for that.\u201d<\/p>\n Romo was claimed off waivers from the New York Mets on Jan. 8. He is batting .141 with seven homers and 16 RBIs in 60 games this season. He had no homers and six RBIs in 19 career games \u2014 all with Colorado \u2014 coming into the year.<\/p>\n The plan is to have Romo stick around the White Sox on the team\u2019s taxi squad.<\/p>\n \u201cDrew, he\u2019s going to stay ready,\u201d general manager Chris Getz said. \u201cHe\u2019s actually going to stay with our club and help the group continue to go and if another opportunity arises he\u2019ll be ready for it.\u201d<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n