MLB

Yankees’ Tommy Kahnle says he’s pain-free, but doubtful for Opening Day

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Published March 6, 2024, 9:03 p.m. ET

TAMPA — Around this time last spring, Tommy Kahnle was in pain.

Now the Yankees’ reliever says he is pain-free, even if he is still unlikely to be ready for Opening Day for the second straight year.

Kahnle threw his sixth bullpen session of the spring Wednesday and reported feeling good, though the Yankees are building him up slowly after he had a delayed start to his throwing program because of the shoulder inflammation that ended his season early last year.

Yankees reliever Tommy Kahnle signs autographs for fans earlier in spring training.
Yankees reliever Tommy Kahnle signs autographs for fans earlier in spring training. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

The veteran didn’t want to rule out not being ready to start the season on time, but admitted about sitting at the beginning: “It’s trending that way.”

He is hoping to be pitching in games around the first week of the season, though that may be in extended spring training or minor league games.

Kahnle missed the start of last season with biceps tendinitis that cropped up after throwing his first live batting practice.

But he indicated this spring is different because he is not hurt, “just behind.”

The 34-year-old said he typically starts his offseason throwing program around Thanksgiving, but had to wait until mid-December because the inflammation did not subside until then.

Yankees reliever Tommy Kahnle runs onto the field earlier during spring training.
Yankees reliever Tommy Kahnle runs onto the field earlier during spring training. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

“It just took longer than I expected for the pain to go away,” Kahnle said after throwing a 20-pitch bullpen session. “It feels good [now]. No pain, no nothing. Just been trucking.”

Kahnle said he would likely throw a few more bullpen sessions before he advancing to live batting practice, then needing to get through a few of those before game action.

The Yankees are hoping their patient approach with Kahnle will help him stay healthy throughout the course of the season, rather than dealing with something else down the line.

“Obviously we knew there was inflammation in there,” Kahnle said. “It just didn’t clear up [as quickly] as we thought. But it wasn’t anything serious, no structural or anything.”

Bullpen hopeful Nick Burdi had another solid outing Wednesday, striking out a pair in a scoreless ninth inning.

The right-hander with a history of injury issues now has seven strikeouts across three innings this spring.

“Today I thought he was really efficient with his stuff,” manager Aaron Boone said. “I liked what I saw.”

The Yankees are targeting Sunday for Jose Trevino (calf) to make his spring debut.

Gerrit Cole will throw live batting practice Thursday with Luke Weaver starting against the Tigers.

Marcus Stroman will start Friday’s game against the Blue Jays.

The Yankees reassigned LHP Tanner Tully, C J.C. Escarra and INF T.J. Rumfield to minor league camp.