Long-Time Yankees Pitcher Returns To Rival Red Sox After Testing Market

Former New York Yankees Pitcher Hits Open Market With Boston Red Sox Contract Clause

“Red Sox RHP Tommy Kahnle has exercised his assignment clause,” Boston WHDH’s Ari Alexander reported last week.

By exercising his clause, Kahnle, who logged more than 195 innings with more than 250 strikeouts for the Yankees, then became available to the other 29 clubs if any would put him on their major-league rosters.

“The 36-year-old, who has pitched in 456 big league games and signed a minor league contract with the Red Sox in March, has a contract clause that kicks in May 1,” MassLive’s Chris Cotillo wrote. “It is an upward mobility clause, which allows another major league club to sign him to its major league roster if the Red Sox don’t match.

On Monday, though, Cotillo reported that Kahnle had returned to the Red Sox’s Triple-A affiliate, indicating that no other team was interested in adding him.

MORE FROM FORBESMets’ Former Pitcher Joins Division Rival After Harsh CutBy Peter Chawaga

New York Yankees’ World Series Reliever Returns To Boston Red Sox

It wasn’t immediately clear that Kahnle wouldn’t find interest from the Yankees in a reunion or from another team, given his resume.

“Through the season’s first month, Kahnle has done a nice job trying to force Boston’s hand,” Steve Adams wrote for MLB Trade Rumors. “The 36-year-old has pitched 8 1/3 innings out of the Worcester bullpen, allowing three earned runs (3.24 ERA) on eight hits and three walks… If not the Red Sox, there seems to be a decent chance Kahnle could draw the interest of another club.”

Across his six seasons with the Yankees, Kahnle logged a 3.31 ERA and contributed to three playoff runs, including 2024’s trip to the World Series. He collected six strikeouts with no earned runs in his first seven innings, then gave up three earned runs to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a 10.80 ERA in the Fall Classic.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com