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Red Sox’ creative roster construction lands two experienced relievers in Worcester
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- Red Sox’ creative roster construction lands two experienced relievers in Worcester
Experienced relievers Zack Kelly and Tommy Kahnle will begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Worcester.
The Red Sox optioned Kelly, top prospect Payton Tolle and righty Tyler Uberstine to minor league camp Monday. They also reassigned Kahnle to the minors.
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The Red Sox ' Opening Day roster was expected to include either Kelly or Kahnle. Instead, Boston will carry both rookie Connelly Early and offseason trade addition Johan Oviedo who have competed for the fifth starting rotation spot throughout spring training camp.
Manager Alex Cora has not announced whether it will be Oviedo or Early who will start the first time through the rotation. But the Red Sox wanted to carry an extra starter to give them length out of the bullpen because Ranger Suárez and Brayan Bello are still building up after pitching in the World Baseball Classic.
Cora is unsure how many innings Suárez will be able to give the Red Sox when he makes his regular season debut next Monday in Houston . He has pitched just 9 ⅓ innings this spring between Grapefruit League games and the WBC. So having a pitcher who can give Boston length out of the bullpen is important.
The 31-year-old Kelly allowed four runs, seven hits (two homers) and five walks while striking out four in 6 ⅔ innings in seven Grapefruit League games. He induced only five swings and misses. He had three whiffs in his first outing, then just two combined over his next five.
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Kelly has posted a 4.15 ERA in 98 career major league outings. He had a 4.58 ERA in 28 outings for Boston last year.
Sending the 36-year-old Kahnle to Worcester to begin the season makes sense after he signed a minor league contract just six days ago. He was pushing for an Opening Day roster spot but Boston can be patient with Kahnle because of the opt-out structure in his contract. He cannot opt out before May 1 when he has an upward mobility clause.
The upward mobility clause would allow him to sign with another team offering him a spot on their major league roster. He also has a straight opt-out opportunity June 1.
Kahnle has posted a 3.61 ERA in 456 major league outings. He recorded a 4.43 ERA in 66 relief appearances with the Tigers last year.
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"I saw a good pitcher the other day throwing 94, 95 (mph) and a good changeup," manager Alex Cora said about Kahnle on Monday. "So those are big leaguers and he's done it before."
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