The New York Yankees have boasted the strongest bullpen in baseball despite facing numerous injuries. Recent developments indicate potential reinforcements on the horizon. Nick Burdi completed his second rehab appearance with the Scranton RailRiders, while another crucial reliever, Tommy Kahnle, is commencing his rehab assignment with the Tampa Tarpons. Additionally, Oswald Peraza, who showcased his prowess with a home run in his initial rehab game, joins the Yankees’ Single-A affiliate in Tampa, suggesting the imminent return of a high-impact bullpen contributor.
In the previous season, Tommy Kahnle emerged as one of the Yankees’ top relievers, posting a 2.66 ERA over 40.2 innings, with 48 strikeouts and two saves. Despite starting both recent seasons on the injured list, Kahnle’s presence on the mound has proven valuable for the team. Their bullpen’s depth has allowed them to remain competitive in his absence, particularly evident this year.
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Presently, the Yankees boast the lowest bullpen ERA (2.22) and the highest Win Probability Added (3.54) in baseball, despite their injury challenges. They’ve relied on a mix of inexperienced or relatively unproven relievers like Luke Weaver and Dennis Santana, yet managed to unearth talent within their organization.
The potential return of Kahnle signifies a significant boost for the Yankees, given his impactful fastball-changeup combination demonstrated last season. With Clay Holmes excelling as a closer, the bullpen’s strength could further solidify with Kahnle’s return and other upcoming additions.
