Red Sox 'Well Aware' Of Looming Opt-Out Date For Veteran Pitcher
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The Boston Red Sox are aware of Tommy Kahnle’s looming opt-out date.
Kahnle is currently pitching in Triple-A, but his contract has a June 1 opt-out, which means he can elect free agency if Boston doesn’t promote him to the MLB. With the veteran pitching well in Triple-A, the Red Sox will have to make a decision, which interim manager Chad Tracy said the team is aware of.
“I know there are dates coming up,” said Tracy. “Our front office, they’re always aware of that. We’re well-aware of who he is, what he’s done and his performance down there.”
Kahnle has allowed just three runs in 19.1 innings in Triple-A, and has gone 14 straight scoreless innings.
If the Red Sox do promote Kahnle, Boston would add another veteran pitcher to the mix that’s pitching well and could give Tracy another high-leverage arm. Tracy, meanwhile, managed him in Triple-A earlier this year and was impressed with what the right-hander has done.
“I can speak for you when I was down there,” Tracy said. “Veteran player, been around a long time and has a ton of big league time. He’s got the changeup, he’s added a slider and throwing a little harder. You know he’s capable and he’s throwing the ball well down there.”
Kahnle is 11-19 with a 3.61 ERA in 456 career games in the MLB.
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