Kahnle to SWB in search of rhythm
DETROIT — Tommy Kahnle’s rough 2018 season continued Monday, when the right-hander was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to make room for Adam Warren before the nightcap of Monday’s split doubleheader against the Tigers.
“I didn’t feel like I was getting to use him in the role he probably should be in right now,’’ Aaron Boone said of Kahnle following the Yankees 4-2 loss in the second game of the twinbill. “He hadn’t pitched in a while. Tommy, when he’s right, is very good. We need to get him into a proper rhythm where he’s throwing the ball well and get him back here.”
Warren returned from the disabled list after missing more than six weeks with a strained back, was shaky in his first appearance. He took over for Domingo German — who gave up four runs in 6 2/3 innings — with a runner on second and two outs in the seventh and gave up an RBI double to Victor Martinez followed by back-toback walks before getting out of the inning and tossing a scoreless eighth.
Kahnle was out for more than a month with shoulder tendinitis and rejoined the bullpen May 25.
Asked if Kahnle is healthy, Boone said: “We believe he is. We check in all the time. He says he is.”
Since coming off the DL, Kahnle had given up four runs in two-thirds of an inning against the Angels before tossing a scoreless inning last Monday in a loss to Houston.
With the emergence of Jonathan Holder — who hasn’t given up an earned run since coming back from SWB on April 21 — Kahnle became the odd man out.
Clint Frazier was back with the Yankees as their 26th man Monday, started both games and went a combined 2-for-6. He was sent back to SWB following the second game.
Greg Bird is beginning to show the Yankees what they were missing when he was out rehabbing from ankle surgery.
The first baseman hit his second home run since returning in Monday’s opening victory, leading off a six-run fourth inning with a long shot to right field.
Bird remains pleased with how he feels at the plate, but is confident he’ll add more.
“I feel like there’s still room to improve, too,’’ Bird said. “I’m trying to keep it simple, being more consistent on the mistakes and not missing as [many]. That’s the biggest thing.”
Gary Sanchez went 0for-3 with two walks in the nightcap and is two for his last 32. ... Tyler Austin snapped an 0-for-20 streak with a sixth-inning single in the second game. ... Both teams wore No. 42 jerseys in the nightcap in honor of Jackie Robinson, because they were rained out on Jackie Robinson Day, April 15.