Yankees relief pitcher Tommy Kahnle elected free agency rather than accepting a minor-league assignment, the Yankees announced on Saturday.
The 31-year-old right-hander is expected to miss the majority of the 2021 season as he recovers from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in August after appearing in just one regular season game this season. If and when he returns to the mound.
The Yankees acquired Kahnle prior to the 2017 trade deadline and was a dependable option out of the bullpen the remainder of the season. He struggled with both injuries and effectiveness in 2018, when he was limited to just 24 games in relief and walked 15 batters in 23 1/3 innings.
