Tommy Kahnle is back on the streak and he couldn’t be more excited.
After being traded in October 2020, the righty signed a two-year, $11.5 million deal to return to the Bronx. Two months after Tommy John surgery, Kahnle became a free agent and signed a contract rather than commit to Triple-A. Dodgers in December.
“I made it clear to them that if they were interested in getting back together, I would love to,” he said. told MLB Network Radio last week. “We looked at places where the bull could fit, you know, on the back end, but it all worked out that night.
“Basically I was glad the Yankees were so interested in bringing me back because I felt like I had some unfinished business there.”
The 33-year-old Latham, N.Y. native had a 4.01 ERA in parts of four seasons in his first game with the Yankees, making 129 appearances in 2017-20. He signed a two-year deal with Los Angeles and will miss the 2021 season to recover from elbow surgery.
He posted a 2.84 ERA in 13 games with the Dodgers last season — missing three months with wrist inflammation — even serving as the team’s closer for a few games out of the bullpen.
Returning to the Yankee Stadium bullpen and joining some of his former teammates chasing the franchise’s first World Series since 2009 was also a big boost for the meet.
“Obviously, Tommy John and part of the business, I couldn’t do anything for almost two years,” he said. “It’s very important for me to come back now. I was especially heartened after seeing this [Aaron] The judge also signed.”
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