The New York Yankees bullpen has cost them some games as of late, but reinforcements will be on the way as of Friday night.
The New York Yankees announced Friday afternoon that they have reinstated Tommy Kahnle from the 10-day disabled list.
Prior to tonight’s game, the Yankees:
– Returned from rehab and reinstated RHP Tommy Kahnle from the 10-day disabled list.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 25, 2018
He was placed on the D.L. April 18 due to right shoulder tendinitis.
Kahnle last appeared in a game for the Bombers on April 12 when he pitched a clean inning. Prior to that, like the rest of the Yankee bullpen, he had been struggling to regain his form from just a season ago. He posted a 1-0 record with a 6.14 ERA in 7.1 innings pitched.
Manager Aaron Boone and the rest of the bullpen are hoping that Kahnle can return to the form he was in 2017. He put up some of the best numbers of his career that season with a 2.59 ERA and only 17 walks in 62.2 innings pitched.
The addition of Kahnle to the Yankee bullpen is coming at a much needed time. They blew a five-run lead in the team’s 12-10 loss to the Texas Rangers on Wednesday. Part of that comes down to bullpen management where Boone is still learning, it also comes down to performance which also hasn’t been there.
Kahnle possesses some of the best stuff in the Yankees bullpen. With a fastball up there at 98-100 mph and a nasty breaking ball at 88 mph, Kanhle is flat out nasty. If last year was any indication of what he can bring, it’s simple, pure dominance.
Now what type of pitcher we see from Kahnle out of the gate, patience needs to be stressed. He hasn’t pitched in a big league game since April, but he appeared in two rehab games in the minor leagues. In those two games, he pitched three innings allowing two earned runs and striking out two batters.
Look for Kahnle to be used right away when the Yankees take on the Angels Friday night at Yankee Stadium.
