Red Sox sign former fan favorite Yankees, Dodgers reliever with devastating changeup

The Boston Red Sox are entering 2026 with high expectations after a Wild Card Series exit last season. 

Boston's pitching staff has all the makings of one of the strongest in the American League. However, it's never too late in spring training to make a move. 

According to the New York Post's Jon Heyman, the Red Sox and veteran reliever Tommy Kahnle have agreed to a minor league contract. Ari Alexander of Boston 7 News reports that Kahnle will earn a $1.5 million salary with $250,000 in bonuses if he makes the Major League roster. 

Kahnle, 36, is coming off a rocky season with the Detroit Tigers that saw him walk 11.6% of the batters he faced in 63 innings. His average fastball velocity is down to 93.5 mph, but he threw his changeup 86% of the time in 2025. 

Kahnle's path to playing time with the Red Sox 

Although Kahnle remained a free agent until about one week remaining in spring training, he kept active this offseason. The former New York Yankees fan favorite threw two scoreless innings in the World Baseball Classic for Team Israel. 

Even if he opens the season at Triple-A, Kahnle would likely be first in line to receive a promotion to Boston's bullpen if an injury occurs, given his previous experience and success in the Majors. 

He debuted in 2014 with the Colorado Rockies and has just thrown 40 or more innings in just six of his 11 campaigns. 

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