The Los Angeles Dodgers have dealt with multiple injuries to their pitching staff this season, including Tommy Kahnle, who began the year on the injured list while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
The right-hander made his 2022 debut on May 1 and pitched to a 6.75 ERA in four appearances before returning to the IL due to right forearm inflammation. An MRI revealed a bone bruise in Kahnle’s right elbow, which has sidelined him ever since.
Kahnle was transferred to the 60-day IL at the end of May but the Dodgers have maintained optimism he will be able to return this season. Despite manager Dave Roberts recently indicating there was a 50% chance that would not occur, Kahnle continues to make progress in his recover.
“I just threw a bullpen, third bullpen. It was 25 pitches, fastball, changeup. Besides that, everything’s been feeling good,” Kahnle said Friday. “I haven’t had any setbacks or anything weird. So it’s feeling good. Hopefully we’re trending in the right direction.”
The Dodgers signed Kahnle to a two-year contract during the 2020 offseason, with the understanding that he wouldn’t be ready to pitch until some point during the 2022 regular season as he recovered from Tommy John surgery. The bone bruise has proven to be an unexpected speed bump.
“I felt like rehab was going so great and next thing you know, I was down again. It is what it is now,” he said. “I just kind of keep grinding and moving toward the next step.”
Prior to his injury-shortened 2020 season, Kahnle established himself as a key member of the New York Yankees bullpen. In 2019, he had a 3.67 ERA, 3.33 FIP and 1.06 WHIP with 88 strikeouts and 20 walks over 61.1 innings (72 appearances).
Kahnle hoping to return in September
Kahnle has two more bullpen sessions scheduled before he can advance to facing batters. The next progression would then be beginning a rehab assignment.
“I think what we had was possibly early September,” Kahnle said of a return from the IL. “We’ll see. As long as everything goes according to plan, check each box and then go from there.”
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