Atop the Dodgers’ winter checklist was upgrading the bullpen for their title defense in 2021. Last week, they took it a step further and addressed 2022.
The Dodgers signed Tommy Kahnle to a two-year contract expecting not to have Kahnle pitch this year. The right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery in August. Pitchers who have the procedure usually need 12 to 18 months before returning to game action, leaving a small chance that Kahnle could pitch for the Dodgers in 2021. Kahnle is holding out hope.
“I’m definitely trying to, hopefully, pitch [in 2021],” Kahnle said in a phone interview Wednesday.