Over the past few offseasons, spanning from Chaim Bloom to Craig Breslow, the Red Sox have repeatedly pursued right-hander Tommy Kahnle.
This week, they finally got their guy. Boston agreed to a minor league deal with Kahnle that does not include an opt-out until June 1, according to reports.
Most veterans have an “upward mobility” clause that typically kicks in around May 1, allowing them to leave if another team offers a major league roster spot. In this case, the Red Sox pushed that timeline back, with Kahnle’s opt-out not coming until June 1.
Kahnle, 36, will pitch for Boston during the final week of camp and is expected to open the season at Triple-A Worcester. Still, the veteran believes he could be ready for Opening Day after pitching for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic this spring.
“If I needed to, yes,” Kahnle said. “It just depends on how they want to play this. I’m good for whatever. I definitely feel like I was ready to roll in the WBC. I had two outings and everything looked pretty good.”
Kahnle last pitched Tuesday, tossing a scoreless inning, his second in three days, during WBC pool play. Prior to outings against Nicaragua and the Netherlands, he also appeared in a pre-tournament exhibition against the Marlins. He hasn’t pitched in over a week but threw a bullpen at Fenway South on Thursday and is going to get into game action on Saturday, giving him a chance to make a late push for a bullpen spot.
Over the past two weeks, the Red Sox have added both Kahnle and left-hander Danny Coulombe to the bullpen mix. If ready, they would join a group that already includes Aroldis Chapman, Garrett Whitlock, Greg Weissert, Justin Slaten, Zack Kelly and Jovani Morán.
Play the hits! Dating back to Game 2 of the ALCS, @Yankees reliever Tommy Kahnle has thrown 48 straight changeups! pic.twitter.com/x2HzJD0v4z— MLB (@MLB) October 19, 2024
Boston could still shuffle things at the end of camp. Kelly has minor league options remaining, which could open the door for Kahnle to sneak onto the roster alongside candidates like Rule 5 pick Ryan Watson, Kyle Keller, Tayron Guerrero, and left-hander Tyler Samaniego.
“It just looked like a good opportunity to make a big league team, especially a team that takes pride in winning,” Kahnle said.
Boston was one of several teams that pursued Kahnle last offseason, but he ultimately signed a one-year, $7.75 million deal with Detroit. He made an immediate impact, leaning heavily on his changeup and posting a 1.77 ERA over his first 34 appearances through June.
Things unraveled in the second half, however, as he struggled to a 7.90 ERA across his final 27 1/3 innings.
Despite the late-season dip, the Red Sox are betting on Kahnle’s track record. Over an 11-year career, he’s shown the ability to be an effective late-inning arm, including a 2.38 ERA in 92 appearances with the Yankees from 2023–24.
“Changeups, throws strikes, been there, done that,” said Alex Corato reporters. “He had a great season two years ago with the Yankees. Last year, he was really good in the first part of the season. It just didn’t happen for him or them in the second part.”
RED SOX CLINCH A POSTSEASON SPOT WITH A #WALKOFF pic.twitter.com/R42wOrwNt8— MLB (@MLB) September 27, 2025
Boston’s interest in Kahnle dates back to Bloom’s tenure, when the club attempted to sign him in 2020 but lost out to the Dodgers.
Now, the timing has finally lined up. Kahnle joins the organization with a chance to crack the 26-man roster and contribute to Boston’s bullpen this season.
“It feels pretty cool,” Kahnle said. “Alex (Cora) and the guys have tried to get me quite a few times I’ve been a free agent. It’s always been a destination I’ve wanted to play at, so the timing was right and they showed some interest again. I was happy to come aboard.
“It came down to Boston again and I was like, ‘I’ve gotta go.’ It’s the fourth time they’ve tried to come after me.”
Kahnle’s contract would pay him $1.5 million if he reaches the majors and includes another $250,000 in potential incentives.
Red Sox Make Additional Roster Cuts
With players returning from the World Baseball Classic following its St. Patrick’s Day finale, the Red Sox are back at full strength in camp — and that meant more roster cuts.
Boston reassigned several players to minor league camp, headlined by infielder Nick Sogard, who was on the club’s postseason roster last October. Tsung-Che Cheng was also sent down, along with non-roster invitees Mikey Romero, Allan Castro, Nathan Hickey, Max Ferguson and Tyler McDonough.
With Sogard heading back to Triple-A Worcester, it clears a path for newcomer Andruw Monasterio to make the Opening Day roster. He’s expected to serve as a platoon partner with Marcelo Mayerat second base.
“We’ll make a decision there, but Marcelo has played great,” Cora said about second base. “He’s played good defense and put good at-bats.”
Boston’s infield picture is finally coming together. Caleb Durbin has been named the Red Sox’s starting third baseman, Trevor Story will handle shortstop, and Willson Contrerasis locked in at first base.
Marcelo Mayer again! The first multi-homer game of his career 😤 pic.twitter.com/y1t3RwJeA0— MLB (@MLB) June 12, 2025
Mayer, who has had to earn his way onto the 26-man roster, is expected to handle second base against right-handed pitching.
The Red Sox will also carry a second utility option in Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who can see time at second, third and shortstop. Monasterio, who has experience at all four infield spots, is the favorite to replace the injured Romy Gonzalezafter posting an .837 OPS against left-handed pitching last season.
“He’s a good athlete,” Cora said about Monasterio, who was acquired from the Brewers with Durbin as camp opened. “He’s a good defender at shortstop. He played short the other day and he’s got good instincts. He’s a good hitter against lefties.”
Nate Eaton is likely to begin the season in Worcester, along with Kristian Campbell, unless the Red Sox can move Masataka Yoshida, which appears unlikely.
Sogard, a versatile switch-hitter who started two playoff games last October, projects as a key depth piece at Triple-A. He’s also expected to see time in the outfield, adding to his defensive flexibility.
Nick Sogard comes off the bench and delivers a pinch-hit, 2-run double in the 9th! 😮 pic.twitter.com/JpGqiOFhnW— MLB (@MLB) September 7, 2025
“Like last year, just stay ready,” Cora said. “If somebody goes down, without any promises, he’s a guy we rely on and trust. Keep getting better offensively and keep doing new things defensively.”
Romero, a former first-round pick, impressed in camp and is expected to begin the season with Triple-A Worcester.
Following the latest cuts, the Red Sox have 48 players remaining in camp, including non-roster invitees. That leaves 20 healthy position players competing for 13 spots on the Opening Day roster.
Spring Breakout Game
Red Sox fans will get a look at the organization’s future Friday night when Boston takes on the Orioles in the Spring Breakout game.
The roster features several of the club’s top prospects, including right-handers Kyson Witherspoon, Anthony Eyanson and Marcus Phillips.
Witherspoon, Boston’s first-round pick in last year’s MLB Draft out of Oklahoma, has already added a sweeper to his arsenal — a pitch the organization has emphasized across its system. He developed it this offseason at Driveline, generating nearly 20 inches of horizontal break. His mix also includes a fastball, cutter, slider, curveball and changeup.
Kyson Witherspoon's arsenal 😮💨 His fastball grades out with plus velocity and exceptional ride, making him look like an MLB-ready arm 👀 More likely first-rounders with intriguing data: https://t.co/YXTtrHQzRI pic.twitter.com/YFJLftogpy— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) July 12, 2025
After watching Payton Tolle and Connelly Earlyrise quickly through the system last season, the Red Sox could see a similar path for Witherspoon in 2026. He’s expected to open the year at High-A Greenville with a chance to reach Double-A Portland later in the season.
Here’s a look at Boston’s Spring Breakout roster, with prospect rankings via MLB.com:
PITCHERS (9):Jay Allmer, RHP (NR), Jake Bennett, LHP (No. 7), Anthony Eyanson, RHP (No. 10), Patrick Galle, RHP (NR), Marcus Phillips, RHP (No. 9), Reidis Sena, RHP (NR), Juan Valera, RHP (No. 5), and Kyson Witherspoon, RHP (No. 4 / MLB No. 84)
CATCHERS (3):Nate Baez (NR), Franklin Primera (NR), and Gerardo Rodriguez, C/1B (No. 27)
INFIELDERS (9):Marvin Alcantara (NR), Franklin Arias, SS (No. 2 / MLB No. 31), Josue Brito (NR), Yoeilin Cespedes, 2B (No. 18), Freili Encarnacion (NR), Henry Godbout, 2B (No. 11), Hector Ramos, SS (No. 23), Mikey Romero (No. 13), and Dorian Soto, SS (No. 8)
OUTFIELDERS (6): Enddy Azocar (No. 12), Miguel Bleis (No. 17), Allan Castro (No. 25), Justin Gonzales (No. 6), Harold Rivas (No. 20), and Nelly Taylor (No. 22)
Ranger Suarez Spot in Rotation
The Red Sox signed Ranger Suárez to a five-year, $130-million deal this offseason, and he’s expected to slot in as the club’s No. 2 starter behind Garrett Crochet.
However, Suárez will open the season at the back end of the rotation as he ramps back up after pitching for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. The left-hander is expected to gradually build up over the first couple of weeks before settling into a larger role.
“We’ll talk about how we re-arrange the rotation but obviously, he didn’t pitch much in the tournament,” Cora said. “We have to make sure we get the volume up. The goal is to keep him healthy throughout.”
Suárez made two starts for the Red Sox this spring before departing for the World Baseball Classic, last throwing three innings against Baltimore on March 1.
He then pitched for Team Venezuela, throwing 43 pitches against the Netherlands on March 6 before making another appearance eight days later against Japan, where he wasn’t as sharp. Venezuela went on to win the WBC title, defeating Team USA 3–2 in the championship game.
After returning to Fort Myers, Suárez got back on the mound Thursday in an intrasquad scrimmage at JetBlue Park. He faced 20 batters, allowing five hits and two runs while striking out six without issuing a walk. Notably, he threw 49 of his 61 pitches for strikes (80.3%).
Ranger Suarez just put Masataka Yoshida in a blender. pic.twitter.com/EYvDmFu10m— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) March 15, 2026
“That’s what he does,” Cora said.
Cora expects Suárez to make his next start Tuesday, the final day of the Grapefruit League schedule.
Boston is expected to open the season in Cincinnati with Garrett Crochet in Game 1, followed by Sonny Gray and Brayan Bello. That alignment would likely slot the final rotation spot — potentially Johan Oviedo— into the series opener against Houston on March 30, with Suárez making his Red Sox debut the following day.
“We’ll sit down, but probably,” Cora said when asked if Suárez would open the season fifth in the rotation.
Around the Diamond
Former Red Sox pitcher Richard Fittsdid not make the Cardinals’ Opening Day roster and has been optioned to Triple-A.
St. Louis acquired Fitts as part of the Gray deal earlier this offseason. The 26-year-old right-hander logged 65 2/3 innings over 15 appearances (14 starts) across the last two seasons and was expected to compete for a rotation spot before the trade.
Fitts struggled this spring, going 2–1 with a 5.79 ERA and nine strikeouts in 9 1/3 innings.
Hunter Dobbins, who was also dealt to the Cardinals this winter, has been placed on the injured list as he continues to recover from ACL surgery.
Blue Jays Clipped Wings
Toronto’s rotation also took a hit this week.
Right-hander Trey Yesavagewill begin the season on the injured list due to a shoulder impingement. The 22-year-old reported to camp with the injury, which slowed his buildup.
“It’s something he reported to camp with and obviously led to his slow build-up,” manager John Schneidersaid. “Right now, he’s feeling good and in a better place to continue ramping up.”
Yesavage impressed late last season, posting a 3.21 ERA in three starts after his September call-up, then going 3–1 with a 3.58 ERA in five postseason starts. He struck out 39 batters in the playoffs, including a 12-strikeout performance over seven innings against the Dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series.
“In terms of a timeline, nothing definitive,” Schneider added. “But he’s feeling really good right now, so he’s in a good place to build up.”
He’s not the only Blue Jays starter dealing with an issue.
Right-hander José Berríos will also open the season on the injured list with a stress fracture in his right elbow. Berrios discovered there was inflammation in his elbow when he underwent a routine MRI for insurance purposes, hoping to play for Puerto Rico in the WBC. The righty called that “weird” at the time, but has since led him to the IL to open the season.
