Red Sox get good news on former Yankees reliever Tommy Kahnle

It's the time of year when veterans who have opt-outs in their minor league contracts start to use them.

They agree to clauses that allow them to become a free agent by a certain date if they haven't been promoted to the MLB level.

Tommy Kahnle has one of those clauses in his contract with the Boston Red Sox.

But at least right now, Kahnle isn't using it.

This is what MassLive's Chris Cotillo reported on Monday:

Tommy Kahnle is likely to stay put with the WooSox barring an unforeseen development, per sources.

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Kahnle, the 36-year old right-handed reliever, has a career 3.61 ERA in 456 games at the MLB level between the Rockies, White Sox, Yankees, Dodgers and Tigers.

He has yet to make it to the majors yet this season, but he must sense that he'll eventually get an opportunity with the Red Sox.

So far at Triple-A Worcester, Kahnle has a 2.89 ERA in eight outings with eight strikeouts in 9.1 innings pitched.

He also had a 0.00 ERA in two outings with Team Israel at the World Baseball Classic.

Kahnle had a 4.43 ERA in 66 appearances in MLB last season with the Tigers.

He's a fascinating pitcher, using his changeup as much as anyone in baseball, but it's unique arms like that who often fit well in a bullpen to provide a different look to opponents. At this point, don't be surprised if he ends up in Fenway Park later this year.

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