This past weekend, as part of what had become a daily bullpen shuttle, the Yankees called up Tommy Kahnle for exactly one day. He replaced Luis Cessa, who pitched in long relief Thursday night, then he was sent down for Chance Adams, who started Saturday. Kahnle faced three batters Friday night, recording a strikeout, a ground out, and a fly out. As routine as low-leverage relief appearances get.
The Yankees sent Kahnle to Triple-A earlier this season — it was a surprising move at the time — because he’d been ineffective, because his velocity was down, and because Jonathan Holder had pitched so well the Yankees had no choice but to keep him.