The Yankees got some good news on the bullpen front Friday with closer Aroldis Chapman being cleared to return to the team following a positive coronavirus test on July 11.

But they received some tough bullpen news not long after.

Manager Aaron Boone announced on Friday that right-hander Tommy Kahnle will undergo Tommy John surgery.

Kahnle was placed on the Injured List with forearm tightness, a move that cleared the way for the team to activate starter Jordan Montgomery for Friday’s game against the Red Sox.

When the Yankees officially announced the move in the afternoon, it was listed as an ulnar collateral ligament injury, which clearly pointed toward Tommy John.

"Your heart goes out to Tommy right now, and knowing that it's a significant injury that's gotta get taken care of right now," Boone said after the game.

"Just stay with it. Take it day by day. He knows he can call me whenever. I'm a phone call away whenever he needs some advice or just someone to talk to. He works hard. Once he gets the okay, he'll be right back to the grind," Montgomery said.

The 30-year-old has made just one appearance for the Yankees this season, pitching one inning against the Washington Nationals on July 26, an inning in which he struck out the side.

After a poor season in 2018, Kahnle had a nice bounce-back season with the Yankees in 2019, appearing in 72 games with a 3.67 ERA and a WHIP of just 1.060.

With Dellin Betances now a Met, Kahnle figured to be featured even more prominently by the Yankees in high-leverage situations this season, so any prolonged absence could play a huge role in the team’s success this season.

Popular in the Community