Yankees Tommy Kahnle looks solid in return from minors

In his first big league action since May 28, Tommy Kahnle worked a perfect eighth inning, striking out one batter in the Yankees 4-1 loss on Friday night.

Editor’s Note: This article was written prior to the Yankees demoting Tommy Kahnle to Triple-A, in order to make room for Saturday’s starter, rookie Chance Adams.

Reliever Tommy Kahnle has pitched on two different ends of the spectrum for the Yankees since coming over from the White Sox before the 2017 trade deadline.

In the thick of last season’s playoff race, Kahnle, who broke into the bigs with the Rockies was a surprising lights-out option of the bullpen. In 26.2 high-intensity innings, the then 27-year-old right-hander produced a 2.70 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 36:10 K:BB ratio.

Then in the come-from-behind Wild Card win versus the Twins and subsequent ALDS victory, Kahnle tossed five innings of scoreless ball while striking out six batters.

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Likely due to being overused, Kahnle’s ALCS performance against the Astros was subpar: a 4.26 ERA while allowing six hits in 6.1 innings (four appearances).

Unfortunately, Kahnle’s 2018 season began much the way the previous Postseason ended — poorly.

In his first eight appearances (which game in two sperate stints), Kahnle looked broken — allowing six hits and 10 walks in nine innings. With an ERA of 7.00 and a 1.78 WHIP, Kahnle’s decreased velocity and spotty command soon led to a DL stint due to shoulder tendinitis and a lengthy trip to Triple-A Scranton.

Down on the farm, Kahnle has appeared to rediscover what made him so dominant last season. In 23.2 innings pitched, the Latham, NY-native went 2-2 with a 2.66 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 0.84 GO/AO, .212 BAA and 33:8 K:BB ratio.

Obviously, Kahnle was pitching to inferior offenses; however, his fastball velocity has returned to around 97-mph — and both his changeup and slider are hitting their targets with much more regularity.

Considering the Yankees traded relief pitcher Adam Warren to the Mariners (who only sit a game and a half out of a Wild Card spot), Tommy Kahnle will be counted on to plug an immediate hole in the bullpen.

Let’s just hope we continue to get the Kahnle from 2017 and not the guy that struggled mightily earlier this season.

In his first big league action since May 28, Tommy Kahnle worked a perfect eighth inning, striking out one batter in the Yankees 4-1 loss on Friday night.

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