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The Boston Red Sox will have to make a call on reliever Tommy Kahnle.

Reliever Tommy Kahnle has triggered the opt-out clause in his contract, forcing the Boston Red Sox to promote him to the big-league roster or allow him to sign with another team that’s willing to add him to the squad.

The veteran right-hander exercised the clause on Friday, May 1, reports Ari Alexander of 7News Boston. Kahnle is currently available to the other 29 teams. If one of the other clubs chooses to offer Kahnle a 26-man roster spot, Boston must either match the move and promote him or let him depart the organization.

The Red Sox signed Kahnle near the end of MLB Spring Training. Minor league deals for veteran players typically come with opt-out clauses that allow them to seek other opportunities instead of toiling in the minors. Kahnle was not an Article XX(b) free agent, which would’ve automatically granted him three uniform opt-out dates under the rules of the CBA. Despite signing later than required for the Article XX(b) threshold, he still had opt-outs in his deal.

Boston Red Sox Could Lose Reliever Tommy Kahnle After Declining to Promote Him

Kahnle, known for his fiery nature and unique approach, has pitched well at Triple-A Worcester. The 36-year-old has posted a 3.24 ERA across seven appearances. Kahnle has punched out minor leaguers at a 22.2% clip while keeping free passes in check (8.3% walk rate). The righty allowed two earned runs in two innings during MLB Spring Training.

The Detroit Tigers gave Kahnle a job in 2025 after his second stint with the New York Yankees came to an end. The veteran has spent parts of 11 big-league seasons with five different teams. He’s been in New York for more than half of his career, while also pitching for the Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Chicago White Sox. Kahnle has compiled a 3.61 ERA across 436.2 innings in the majors. He’s typically been more of a setup man than a closer, but he does have 17 MLB saves.

Does the Red Sox Bullpen Need Kahnle?

Boston is off to a shaky start this season. The club got off to a 10-17 record, which spelled the end for World Series-winning manager Alex Cora. Interim manager Chad Tracy has won three of his first five games at the helm, but the Red Sox still sit at dead last in the AL East.

Despite the uneven beginning to the 2026 campaign, the bullpen has been a strength. Boston’s relievers have the fifth-lowest ERA in the league at 3.54. The underlying numbers aren’t as strong, as the unit has a 4.14 xFIP and a 3.78 SIERA, but those marks still represent an above-average performance. The strong output is even more impressive considering the bullpen lost key setup man Justin Slaten to a strained oblique.

At this stage of his career, Kahnle is unlikely to unseat closer Aroldis Chapman or setup man Garrett Whitlock. Chapman has racked up six saves while allowing just one earned run over 10 appearances. Whitlock has delivered a 3.00 ERA across 12 innings. His strikeout rate has fallen from 31.1% to 25.5%, but he’s still missing bats at a solid clip.