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Red Sox Insider Names Which Two Players 'Loom' As Possible 'Call-Up Options'
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- Red Sox Insider Names Which Two Players 'Loom' As Possible 'Call-Up Options'
Red Sox Insider Names Which Two Players 'Loom' As Possible 'Call-Up Options' originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Boston Red Sox 's Opening Day roster is coming into focus.
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With the start of the regular season just two days away, Boston has made numerous notable roster moves , including optioning Payton Tolle to Triple-A and slating Connelly Early into the starting rotation.
Red Sox reporter Chad Jennings of The Athletic named two relievers on Tuesday who will be opening the campaign in the minors but could be promoted quickly, depending on how things shake out with right-hander Johan Oviedo (who is being moved to Boston's bullpen.)
"Experienced relievers Zack Kelly and Tommy Kahnle will start the season in Triple A but loom as potential call-up options early in the season, especially if the team wants to get Oviedo stretched out again as a starter and no longer feels the need to carry a true long man in the bullpen," Jennings wrote .
Zack Kelly originally signed with the Red Sox in December 2020 and made his major league debut in August 2022.
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Kelly pitched 13 games out of Boston's bullpen in 2022 and eight more in 2023 before having his most impactful campaign in 2024. Kelly finished that season with a 6-3 record, 3.97 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 61 strikeouts across 56 2/3 innings covering 49 appearances, including three starts.
He was 1-3 with a 4.58 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 35 strikeouts over 35 1/3 innings covering 28 games last season.
After being pursued numerous times by the Red Sox over the years, veteran reliever Tommy Kahnle signed a minor-league deal with the organization on March 19.
The 36-year-old was 1-5 with a career-high nine saves, 4.43 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 50 strikeouts in 63 innings pitched (66 games) with the Detroit Tigers in 2025.
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Kahnle has pitched for five teams across his 11 MLB seasons, going 11-19 with a 3.61 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 502 strikeouts in 436 2/3 innings (456 appearances).
More MLB: Red Sox's Connelly Early Earns Compliment From Alex Cora After Winning Starting Spot
