BOSTON -- Tommy Kahnle was an obvious bright spot in 2017. After the Yankees acquired him from the White Sox at the trade deadline, he became one of the team's most trusted, high-powered relievers in a bullpen filled with them, and in the postseason he turned in several gutty, multi-inning performances.
But, so far this season, Kahnle has been a major reason the whole Yankees' bullpen has underwhelmed big time through their 5-6 start.
And after he gave up three earned runs (five total) in the Yankees' embarrassing 14-1 loss to the Red Sox at Fenway Park on Tuesday, the right-hander and his manager, Aaron Boone, each pointed to Kahnle's sudden dip in velocity as at least part of the source of his troubles.