The Los Angeles Dodgers activated Tommy Kahnle off the 10-day injured list and optioned Garrett Cleavinger to Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to Sunday’s series finale against the Detroit Tigers.
Kahnle is on the active roster for the first time since signing a two-year contract with the Dodgers in December 2020. The right-hander was early into recovering from Tommy John surgery and although he held hope of pitching last year, taking the mound this season held as the more logical outcome.
Kahnle was eased through Spring Training and didn’t make an appearance until the exhibition Freeway Series. He was ruled out from making the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster and instead spent April on a rehab assignment with Low-A Rancho Cucamonga and Oklahoma City.
The 32-year-old appeared in eight games (three starts), and allowed just two runs over 6.1 innings while collecting seven strikeouts against one walk. The final hurdle for Kahnle to clear was pitching in back-to-back games.
Once that was completed, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated Kahnle would be activated for the upcoming series with the San Francisco Giants.
However, it can be presumed Kahnle being healthy, Blake Treinen remaining on the 10-day injured list and Sunday being the final day players can be sent down without it counting against the maximum five Minor League options per season were each a factor in moving up the timeline.
Prior to his injury-shortened 2020 season, Kahnle established himself as a key member of the New York Yankees bullpen. In 2019, he pitched to a 3.67 ERA, 3.33 FIP and 1.06 WHIP with 88 strikeouts and 20 walks over 61.1 innings (72 appearances).
Kahnle’s last time in a regular season game was with the Yankees on July 26, 2020.
Cleavinger’s time with Dodgers
Cleavinger was part of a 16-man pitching staff on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster, but got optioned on April 17 before returning five days later when Treinen was put on the IL.
Cleavinger has only appeared in two games this season, allowing one run over 1.2 innings pitched.
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