Chicago White Sox catcher Kyle Teel suffered a left ankle injury during Monday's game against the Texas Rangers, adding another setback to a season already disrupted by multiple injuries.
Teel appeared to hurt himself during the bottom of the second inning when Evan Carter singled and a play developed at home plate.
As Teel attempted to make a tag, he turned his body without apparent contact with the runner and then went down in pain.
The 24-year-old catcher was helped from the field by White Sox manager Will Venable and athletic trainer James Kruk and reportedly struggled to put weight on the injured leg.
The team said Teel would undergo further evaluation to determine the severity of the injury.
The latest setback comes after Teel missed the beginning of the season with a right hamstring strain suffered while playing for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic.
During a subsequent rehabilitation assignment, he sustained a sprained lateral collateral ligament in his right knee and was placed on the 60-day injured list. He eventually made his season debut on June 22.
Although the exact nature of Teel's latest injury has yet to be determined, his situation highlights how athletes can suffer significant damage even without colliding with another player.
How Can a Non-Contact Injury Happen?
A non-contact injury occurs when an athlete is hurt without a direct collision or external impact. These injuries can happen during sudden stops, pivots, changes in direction, or awkward landings.
The ankle, knee and lower leg must work together to absorb forces and maintain stability. When an athlete rapidly changes direction, the body can move one way while the foot remains planted, placing substantial stress on ligaments, tendons and other structures.
In baseball, this can happen during seemingly routine movements, including running between bases, changing direction while fielding or turning quickly during a play at home plate.
A sudden twisting motion can potentially injure the ankle's ligaments or place stress on tendons and cartilage. Depending on the force and direction of the movement, bones or joints may also be affected.
Why Previous Injuries Could Matter
Teel's injury history also raises questions about how one injury can potentially influence movement elsewhere in the body.
When an athlete is recovering from an injury, they may unconsciously change how they walk, run, land, or shift their weight. These compensatory movement patterns can place additional stress on other muscles and joints.
For example, an athlete recovering from a right leg injury may place more weight on the left side. That does not necessarily mean the original injury caused a new injury, but altered biomechanics can affect how forces are distributed throughout the body.
Fatigue can also play a role. As muscles fatigue, coordination and stability may decline, making it more difficult for an athlete to control rapid movements.
What Symptoms Could Signal a More Serious Injury?
The severity of an ankle injury cannot always be determined immediately. Some injuries may initially appear manageable but become more painful or swollen over the following hours.
Warning signs that warrant medical evaluation can include:
- Inability to bear weight on the injured leg
- Significant or rapidly increasing swelling
- Severe pain or tenderness
- Visible deformity
- Persistent instability or a feeling that the joint is giving way
- Bruising that develops around the ankle or foot
- Numbness or tingling
Doctors may perform a physical examination and use imaging such as X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to determine whether bones, ligaments, tendons or cartilage have been damaged.
Why Recovery Is More Than Just Waiting for Pain to Stop
Treatment depends on the specific injury. A mild sprain may improve with rest, ice, compression and elevation, while more serious ligament or tendon injuries can require structured rehabilitation or, in some cases, surgery.
Returning to play before an injury has adequately healed can increase the risk of reinjury. Rehabilitation often focuses on restoring strength, balance, range of motion, and joint stability before an athlete resumes full competition.
For professional athletes, the pressure to return quickly can be intense, particularly during a demanding season. But recovery is not simply about getting an athlete back on the field, but ensuring the body can safely handle the rapid movements and repetitive stress of competition.
