The news just went from bad to worse for Kyle Teel.
Prior to tonight’s series opener in Seattle, the team announced their rehabbing catcher will now miss an additional 3-6 weeks with a sprained right lateral collateral ligament. The timeline includes rest and additional rehab, per CHSN’s Brooke Fletcher.
Manager Will Venable told the media pregame yesterday that Teel would be held out of Sunday’s game in Charlotte after Teel felt soreness in his right knee after an awkward swing during Saturday’s game. Replays show his cleat getting caught in the ground, prematurely ending a rehab assignment that began on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old had been trying to make a return after originally suffering a right hamstring strain in Italy’s WBC matchup against the United States on March 10. After doubling down the right-field line, Teel appeared to grimace and pull up while rounding first base. Though he made his way to second, the New Jersey native slammed the ground in frustration before walking off under his own power.
While Teel was able to resume catching duties shortly after, progress on the bases has been his main obstacle. After weeks of uncertainty, Teel finally cleared the required threshold to return to game action last week. In 15 at-bats with the Knights during his brief stint, he was hitting .267 with a homer and two RBI.
Teel, who will now spend the next few weeks away from baseball activities, is expected to rejoin the team in Seattle.
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