Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Tommy Kahnle

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 2, 2025

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Tommy Kahnle made an impact.

Thomas Robert "Tommy" Kahnle is a professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Detroit Tigers in MLB. Drafted by the Yankees in 2010, he debuted in the majors in 2014 with the Colorado Rockies. He has also played for the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, and Los Angeles Dodgers during his MLB career. Kahnle is known for his effective pitching and has been a valuable asset to the various teams he's played for throughout his career.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2009: Collegiate Summer Baseball

In 2009, Tommy Kahnle played collegiate summer baseball with the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

2009: Division II College World Series

In 2009, Tommy Kahnle, as a member of the Fighting Knights, won the Division II College World Series and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.

2010: Professional Debut

In 2010, Tommy Kahnle made his professional debut for the Staten Island Yankees.

2010: Return to Cape Cod Baseball League

In 2010, Tommy Kahnle returned to the Cape Cod Baseball League, splitting his time between the Bourne Braves and the Brewster Whitecaps.

2010: Drafted by Yankees

In 2010, Tommy Kahnle was selected by the New York Yankees in the fifth round of the Major League Baseball draft.

2011: Plays for Charleston RiverDogs

In 2011, Tommy Kahnle played for the Charleston RiverDogs, achieving a 4.22 ERA and 112 strikeouts.

2012: Plays for Tampa Yankees and Trenton Thunder

In 2012, Tommy Kahnle played for both the Tampa Yankees and Trenton Thunder, achieving a 2.37 ERA with 74 strikeouts.

2013: Eastern League All-Star

In 2013, Tommy Kahnle was named an Eastern League All-Star and finished the season with a 2.85 ERA and 74 strikeouts.

2013: Selected by Colorado Rockies

In 2013, Tommy Kahnle was selected by the Colorado Rockies from the Yankees in the Rule 5 Draft.

2014: Major League Debut

In 2014, Tommy Kahnle began the season on the Rockies' Opening Day roster and made his major league debut on April 3, appearing in 54 games with a 4.19 ERA.

2014: MLB Debut with Rockies

In 2014, Tommy Kahnle made his Major League Baseball debut with the Colorado Rockies.

November 24, 2015: Traded to White Sox

On November 24, 2015, Tommy Kahnle was traded by the Rockies to the Chicago White Sox for Yency Almonte.

2015: Designated for Assignment

In 2015, Tommy Kahnle spent half the season in the minors, appearing in 36 games for the Rockies and recording two saves, before being designated for assignment following the season.

July 18, 2017: Traded to Yankees

On July 18, 2017, Tommy Kahnle, along with Todd Frazier and David Robertson, was traded by the White Sox to the New York Yankees for Blake Rutherford, Tyler Clippard, Ian Clarkin, and Tito Polo.

2017: Pitching for the White Sox

In 2017, Tommy Kahnle pitched for the White Sox, achieving a 2.50 ERA with 60 strikeouts and seven walks in 36 innings.

June 4, 2018: Optioned to Triple-A

On June 4, 2018, Tommy Kahnle was optioned to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate.

2018: Performance with Yankees

In 2018, Tommy Kahnle posted a 6.56 ERA in 24 games for the New York Yankees.

July 2019: Reliever of the Month

In July 2019, Tommy Kahnle was awarded the American League Reliever of the Month, posting a 0.77 ERA in 12 games with 17 strikeouts.

October 31, 2020: Elected Free Agency

On October 31, 2020, Tommy Kahnle was outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.

December 29, 2020: Signed with Dodgers

On December 29, 2020, Tommy Kahnle signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

May 1, 2022: Dodgers Debut

On May 1, 2022, Tommy Kahnle made his Dodgers debut after missing the entire 2021 season due to injury rehabilitation.

December 21, 2022: Returns to Yankees

On December 21, 2022, Tommy Kahnle signed a two-year contract to return to the New York Yankees.

2023: Yankees Appearances

During the 2023 campaign, Tommy Kahnle made 42 appearances for the Yankees, achieving a 1-3 record and a 2.66 ERA with 48 strikeouts and 2 saves across 40+2⁄3 innings pitched.

2023: Season with Yankees

In 2023, Tommy Kahnle had a 1-3 record with a 2.66 ERA and two saves in 42 games for the Yankees before being shut down in September with shoulder inflammation.

2024: 2024 Season

Tommy Kahnle began the 2024 season on the injured list due to shoulder inflammation but was later activated on May 22. He made 50 relief appearances for New York, registering a 2.11 ERA with 46 strikeouts across 42+2⁄3 innings and recorded a save in the 2024 ALCS.