Red Sox Ink Ex-Yankees Reliever to Minor-League Contract
The Boston Red Sox have added a veteran right-handed arm to their depth chart. Tommy Kahnle agreed to a minor-league contract, according to Jon Heyman.
Signing details
The club also signed left-hander Danny Coulombe to a major-league deal last week. Coulombe is expected to be in Boston’s bullpen on Opening Day.
The Red Sox added an ex-Yankees reliever on a minor-league contract to bolster organizational arms. Jon Heyman’s report reached Filmogaz.com.
Kahnle’s background and career
Kahnle was drafted by the New York Yankees in the fifth round of the 2010 MLB Draft. He left the Yankees after being taken in the Rule 5 Draft by the Colorado Rockies in 2013.
The 36-year-old has pitched for the Chicago White Sox, the Yankees twice, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Detroit Tigers. He also represented Team Israel at the World Baseball Classic.
| Career | Value |
|---|---|
| Major-league appearances | 456 games |
| Win–loss record | 11–19 |
| Career ERA | 3.61 |
| Saves | 17 |
Most recent season
He was a free agent after a one-year, $7.75 million contract with the Tigers. In that season, Kahnle went 1–5 with a 4.43 ERA over 66 games.
Pitching profile
Baseball Savant shows Kahnle used a four-seam fastball, a changeup, and a slider in 2025. He threw the slider just four times, according to the data.
Implications for the Red Sox
The addition gives Boston more bullpen options during spring training and beyond. Kahnle will compete for a roster spot ahead of Opening Day.
Boston opens the 2026 season on March 26 against the Cincinnati Reds. The move follows other offseason work to shore up relief depth.
