Red Sox designate Tommy Kahnle for assignment

The Red Sox bullpen shuffle continues to keep fresh arms available. Gamboa has a 2.08 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and a 12/5 K/BB ratio over 13 innings in seven appearances with Boston this year.

The Red Sox needed to clear a spot on their active roster for the return of Ranger Suarez on Sunday and unfortunately Gamboa drew the short straw this time around. The 29-year-old southpaw holds a terrific 2.08 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and a 12/5 K/BB ratio over 13 innings in seven appearances with the big league club this season. He should get another opportunity with the Red Sox before the summer is through.

No surprise here. Rivera heads back to the minors after surrendering four runs and recording just two outs during the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Orioles. It’ll be Alec Gamboa sticking around as long relief depth for Boston after serving as the club’s 27th man for the twin bill.

Boston will attempt to notch their franchise-record 16th consecutive victory with rookie lefty Eduardo Rivera on the mound and Alec Gamboa coming up from Triple-A Worcester as long relief depth for Wednesday’s nightcap at Fenway Park. Suarez won’t be able to take the ball due to an illness. It’s challenging to pinpoint his exact return date given everything that has transpired in the last few days, but Suárez appears likely to return for either Friday’s series opener against the Blue Jays or Monday’s matchup against the Athletics, if the Red Sox opt to give him a few extra days.

Kahnle returns to Boston’s relief mix after spending roughly one week on the open market. The 36-year-old veteran righty allowed eight runs over nine innings for the Red Sox after being called up back on June 4. He’ll remain stationed at Triple-A Worcester as emergency depth heading into the second half.

Gamboa retreats to the minors with Patrick Sandoval coming off the injured list. The 29-year-old lefty has allowed two runs over five innings across four relief appearances for the Red Sox this season.

No surprise here. Kahnle will test the open market after declining an outright assignment from the Red Sox. The 36-year-old veteran reliever posted an underwhelming 8.00 ERA across nine innings during a couple weeks in Boston’s bullpen.

Kahnle posted an 8.00 ERA, 2.00 WHIP and a 5/6 K/BB ratio across nine innings of work in eight appearances with the Red Sox. It seems likely that he’ll refuse the outright assignment and elect free agency.

Gamboa was called up prior to Wednesday’s game against the Nationals and allowed two runs over 2 1/3 innings following an abbreviated outing by starter Payton Tolle. The 29-year-old has made three appearances for the Red Sox this season.

The left-hander acquitted himself well in the majors, throwing 1 2/3 scoreless innings across two appearances with three strikeouts and no baserunners allowed. The Red Sox needed to make room for Jake Bennett to be called up to start on Wednesday, but Gamboa should get another look this summer.