Tommy Kahnle’s progress toward Yankees injury return slowed ‘a little bit
PHOENIX — Tommy Kahnle’s road back to the Yankees has hit another speed bump.
The reliever, who started the season on the 15-day injured list because of a late start to his offseason throwing program due to a shoulder issue that ended his season last year, has been stalled once again.
Kahnle did not bounce back as well as expected after a live batting-practice session last week in Tampa, which has slowed his progress “a little bit,” manager Aaron Boone said Monday before the Yankees’ 5-2 win against the Diamondbacks.
“So he’s back in his throwing program,” Boone said before winning 5-2 against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field. “I don’t know how long that slows him.”
The 34-year-old right-hander was expected to need to pitch in at least a few rehab games before returning to the Yankees, though Boone said Monday he did not know when Kahnle might begin a rehab assignment.
The Yankees already have relievers Scott Effross and Lou Trivino on the 60-day injured list, but their bullpen tossed 15 ¹/₃ scoreless innings in the season-opening series against the Astros.
Kirk Cousins’ cousin is the newest addition to the Yankees’ bullpen.
Jake Cousins was activated onto the roster Monday after they acquired him in a trade with the White Sox on Sunday in exchange for cash considerations.
The right-handed reliever spent spring training with the White Sox after signing a minor league deal with them in December but had been assigned to their Triple-A affiliate to start the season.
Instead, the Yankees swooped in to trade for him and immediately added him to their bullpen.
“I know our guys are really excited about him,” Boone said. “From scouts to front office, analysts, [they] feel like we got a talented guy that hopefully there’s some still untapped things that we can get into. I know we like his talent.”
