The Tigers are adding another weapon to their bullpen.
Detroit is signing reliever Tommy Kahnle to a one-year, $7.75 million contract, pending a physical, per Jeff Passan.
The 35-year-old right-hander is coming off another strong season with the Yankees, posting a 2.11 ERA and more than a strikeout per inning across 50 appearances. He topped it off in the playoffs with a 2.08 ERA in nine outings to help New York reach the World Series.
Kahnle had Tommy John in 2020 and missed the duration of 2021. In three seasons since -- the first with the Dodgers, the last two with the Yankees -- he has a 2.44 ERA and a .180 batting average against in 105 outings.
Kahnle is known for an elite swing-and-miss changeup that he throws off a mid-90's fastball. He's been equally effective against righties and lefties over his career. He can be a bit wild and will issue some walks, but the strikeouts and soft contact more than make up for it.
The Tigers' bullpen ranked fifth in the majors in ERA (3.55) last season, with most of the core pieces returning. Kahnle will give A.J. Hinch another arm to weaponize in the late innings.