Tommy Kahnle could force the Red Sox into a major bullpen shakeup after debut
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Tommy Kahnle could force the Red Sox into a major bullpen shakeup after debut originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Today, the Boston Red Sox got demolished in a rubber match against a division rival in the Baltimore Orioles. The first inning sealed the game, as the Sox were shut out for most of it, and scored a couple of runs near the end.
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However, one good thing did come from this: the Red Sox got a good look at Tommy Kahnle, a veteran MLB reliever who had been sitting in AAA Worcester, waiting for a call.
Kahnle was great in AAA
The Sox signed Kahnle to a minor league deal back in March, and he spent a full two months on their roster as a late-game reliever and closer. In 18 games, he posted a 1.40 ERA, 21 Ks, a WHIP of 1.293, and five saves.
With those stats, it would be hard to ignore putting him on the big league roster. So, when he gave Boston an ultimatum to either promote him or he walks, they chose the former.
Kahnle’s still got it at the Major League level
© Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Kahnle was recalled today, and he didn’t disappoint. Albeit he did get handed a game that was already out of hand, he made sure the damage didn’t get any worse.
He went two innings, gave up two hits, two walks, and got a strikeout without giving up any runs. This leaves his ERA at a perfect 0.00 for the season, even if it was just one game.
Kahnle could have a permanent spot in the bullpen
© Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Because of this performance Kahnle could have a permanent spot in the bullpen. The Sox did option star rookie reliever Tyler Samaniego down to AAA to get Kahnle up, so getting him back is a must as well.
This would mean the Sox would have to either option or cut someone else. It’s not like they don’t have some easy choices either; both Greg Weissert and Danny Coulombe have been nuisances in the bullpen, blowing games that could have been easy wins.
Hopefully, Kahnle becomes a very useful reliever for Boston, and the Sox get Samaniego back on the roster as well.
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