Red Sox Cut Veteran Reliever After Rough Stretch
The Red Sox designated the 36-year-old right-hander for assignment following Tuesday night's 8-1 loss to the Washington Nationals, recalling left-hander Alec Gamboa from Triple-A Worcester to take his roster spot.
A Tenure That Unraveled Quickly
Kahnle opened the season at Triple-A after signing a minor league deal late in spring training and was called up on June 4 following a strong stretch in Worcester, where he posted a 1.40 ERA with 21 strikeouts over 19.2 innings.
He had an opt-out clause he reportedly planned to exercise if Boston did not add him to the big league roster.
The major league results did not follow.
Tommy Kahnle has been DFA’d, per @ChrisCotillo.
— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) July 1, 2026
He showed absolutely nothing once he was brought back up to the big leagues. pic.twitter.com/gXqY2gkniL
After opening his Red Sox tenure with five scoreless frames, Kahnle surrendered eight runs over his next four outings, and his struggles peaked Tuesday when he labored through a four-run eighth inning that included a CJ Abrams home run.
That left him with an inflated 8.00 ERA and a 2.00 WHIP across nine innings with the Red Sox.
Boston needed a fresh arm for Wednesday's series finale after rookie starter Connelly Early exited early with elbow discomfort, forcing the Red Sox to use five relievers across five innings and leaving several unavailable for the following day.
What Comes Next
Kahnle is likely to pass through waivers this week, and if he goes unclaimed, he will have the right to elect free agency in lieu of an outright assignment.
The 12-year veteran was originally a fifth-round pick by the New York Yankees in the 2010 draft and has pitched for the Rockies, White Sox, Yankees, Dodgers, and Tigers across his career, owning a 3.62 ERA over 463 career games.
The Red Sox have designated RHP Tommy Kahnle for assignment, according to @ChrisCotillo. pic.twitter.com/CCF6lwUIXW
— Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) July 1, 2026
He could still be an option for a team in need of bullpen depth given his track record of holding opponents to a .195 average since the start of 2022.
Gamboa, 29, steps into the Boston bullpen for the third time this season after retiring all five batters he had faced across two earlier appearances.
