Yankees activate Adam Warren, option Tommy Kahnle

The Yankees tweaked their roster before the second game of today’s doubleheader. The team activated relief pitcher Adam Warren from the disabled list. As a corresponding move, the club optioned fellow reliever Tommy Kahnle to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. They announced the transactions following game one’s conclusion.

Warren, 30, only appeared in eight games this season before missing more than a month with a back strain. He pitched fairly well across 8.1 innings. registering a 3.24 ERA and 3.47 FIP. That’s right around his career numbers, if not a little better. A healthy Warren gives the Yankees a reliable arm, one that has a long track record of success in pinstripes.

To make room on the roster, the Yankees optioned Kahnle back to Triple-A. That move raises a few eyebrows. The 28-year-old has struggled all year, and missed some time with injury himself. Since returning from the disabled list, he made just two appearances, allowing four runs in 1.2 innings. His overall numbers — a 7.00 ERA and 5.67 FIP — are just as ugly.

It still comes as a surprise that Kahnle, a centerpiece in last summer’s blockbuster trade with the White Sox, had to be demoted to Scranton. One would have figured A.J. Cole would have been the roster casualty, but it looks like he has impressed. Hopefully this will be an opportunity for Kahnle to straighten things out with his mechanics and get back to the show in a hurry. When he’s effective, he’s a difference-making pitcher.