The New York Yankees will be without the services of an important reliever to begin the 2024 season.
New York has been keeping a close eye on hard-throwing righty Tommy Kahnle to in Spring Training as he's been dealing with a shoulder injury. Although he is making progress, he reportedly will begin the season on the Injured List, according to Newsday Sports' Erik Boland.
"Tommy Kahnle (shoulder), who will start the season on the injured list, threw a 20-pitch live batting practice session Sunday," Boland said. "He has said he’ll need at least three live BPs before getting into a game."
Kahnle is one of the Yankees' most important relievers so if he misses significant time, it certainly will hurt the club. New York already is dealing with a handful of injuries and the season hasn't even started yet.
The veteran righty had a 2.66 ERA in 42 appearances last season to go along with a 48-to-19 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 40 2/3 innings pitched.
He was selected in the fifth round of the 2010 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft by the Yankees but actually made his big league debut with the Colorado Rockies in 2014.
Overall, he has spent time with the Rockies, Chicago White Sox, Yankees, and Los Angeles Dodgers throughout his nine-year big league career.
New York had the best bullpen in baseball last season and Kahnle's performance certainly was a big reason why. Hopefully, he will be able to get back on track and get back to the mound soon.
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