ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. Tommy Kahnle came sprinting out of the clubhouse inside the Yankees player development complex Friday morning sporting a Penny Hardaway, Orlando Magic jersey. In another 10 days or so, the reliever finally could be wearing a Yankees jersey again for the first time this season. Kahnle came out of his first rehab game Wednesday feeling healthy and will pitch in a second on Saturday afternoon with Single-A Tampa. From there, the plan is he will move up to Double-A Somerset, where he will likely pitch in three more games before potentially being ready to join the Yankees by the end of their homestand that goes through May 23. Tommy Kahnle is working his way through an injury rehab. Robert Sabo for NY Post I feel good so far, Kahnle said after playing catch at the clubs complex in Tampa. I would say after one more [outing, the stuff] is probably there. But the rest is just getting back into a groove. Explore More Kahnle, in the second year of a two-year, $11.5 million contract, has been after he got a late start to his offseason throwing program because of from late last season. The Yankees initially expected him to only mi s a week or two at the start of this season, but he suffered a setback during his rehab in late March after throwing live batting practice. The next day, I threw and it didnt feel great, said Kahnle, who has not yet been transferred to the 60-day injured list, allowing him to return before May 27. So I was like, Great, its back. So I took five days off and then started throwing and its been Bryan Bickell Jersey great since. I think I beat it before it got worse. A shoulder i sue has kept Kahnle away from the Yankees so far in 2024. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post If Kahnle can stay healthy which has been a challenge for the 34-year-old right-hander he would add a swing-and-mi s threat to a bullpen that has still found a way to thrive without it. Entering Friday, the Yankees relief corps had the fifth-fewest strikeouts-per nine innings in the majors (7.61), but the lowest ERA at 2.25. Without Kahnle, the Yankees current bullpen only has two members left Clay Holmes and Ian Hamilton from the one that led the majors in ERA last season. And still, the group of mostly unheralded arms has played a key role in the Yankees getting off to as strong of a start to the season as they have. Go beyond the box score with the Bombers Sign up for Inside the Yankees by Greg Joyce, exclusively on Sports+. Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Theyve been great, Kahnle said. I feel like everybodys done well. This bullpen, top to bottom, is really good. You look at Clay, hes absolutely shutting the door. Everybody else is pitching well behind him. Thats all we need. We just need our bullpen to cover what starters give us. I mean, were going to hit the ball. Once it gets hotter out, were going to see it really take off. The Yankees have made up for the lo ses of Jonathan Loaisiga ( ), Michael King (traded to the Padres) and Wandy Peralta (signed with the Padres) by trading for lefties Caleb Ferguson and Victor Gonzalez and getting the most out of the likes out Luke Weaver and Dennis Santana. Its been huge, manager Aaron Boone said. Got to have that. I feel like the starters have done a really good job of giving us good opportunities to win every night, but then the bullpens a big reason weve been able to close out or hold the line and come back. Theyve all played a role in that. Obviously Clays been outstanding holding things down, but everyone leading up to him has really done their job really well. If youre going to have a good bullpen, it takes more than two or three guys you can hang your hat on. Its kind of a little bit of everyone and theyve all done a good job. Tommy Kahnle should be a big boost for the Yankees bullpen. Robert Sabo for NY Post In the meantime, Kahnle was trying to make the most of his time in Tampa. He has been rehabbing with fellow relievers Lou Trivino and Scott Effro s and has also appreciated getting to help out some of the minor leaguers at the complex. On Friday, potentially his final day there, he bought them donuts and Chick-Fil-A. Our nutritionist is probably not too happy, Kahnle said, but I know thats what I would have wanted. Cole Guttman Jersey