Dodgers News: Tommy Kahnle Could Return This Week
The Dodgers signed Tommy Kahnle to a two-year contract before the 2021 season, knowing he was coming off Tommy John surgery and unlikely to pitch until 2022.
What they didn’t anticipate was Kahnle also missing the majority of the 2022 season, too, but that’s where we stand. Kahnle has thrown just four innings this year, spending the last four months on the injured list with forearm inflammation.
Kahnle has been pitching on a rehab assignment in Triple-A Oklahoma City the past few weeks, and it appears he’s about ready to make his return to the big leagues, as manager Dave Roberts told the media before Monday’s series opener in Arizona.
“We’ve got Tommy Kahnle here on the taxi [squad], so to see him being activated something this series is very, very possible.”
"We're going to do it at some point in time." – Dave Roberts doesn't care the #Dodgers haven't officially clinched a playoff spot yet. pic.twitter.com/8xQqXnSA9s
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) September 13, 2022
Kahnle’s return could come at a good time, with Blake Treinen recently heading back to the injured list with shoulder soreness. The Dodgers have a long list of injured relievers, with the big names still hoping to return being Brusdar Graterol and Yency Almonte. Kahnle could complement those guys as righties out of the bullpen, especially if Treinen is unable to return.
In the short term, Kahnle would likely replace Heath Hembree on the active roster and on the 40-man roster; Hembree would likely be designated for assignment to make room on both rosters. If Kahnle is effective and healthy, it would make for some tough decisions regarding the postseason roster. But it would be the good kind of tough, the kind Roberts is hoping for.
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