While multiple members of the Boston Red Sox were playing in the World Baseball Classic final on Tuesday night, the team's front office was busy signing veteran reliever Tommy Kahnle to a minor league deal.

Kahnle pitched for the Detroit Tigers in the 2025 season, helping them advance to the American League Division Series. He threw two scoreless innings for Team Israel at the WBC.

There's really no risk in signing Kahnle, who has plenty of experience, and experience in big markets. However, because of the late signing date, it's unclear if he'll actually be ready for Opening Day - should the Red Sox want him in the bullpen anyways.

Here's what you need to know:

Now 36 years old, he is an 11-year veteran of the Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and Tigers. Owner of a lifetime 11-19 record, he has a 3.61 ERA in 456 career games.

Though he can still reach the mid-90s with his fastball, he's heavily reliant on his changeup, throwing it a whopping 83.5 percent of the time in 2025.

Kahnle appeared in 66 games for Detroit, going 1-5 with a 4.43 ERA. He struck out 50 batters in 63.0 innings.

Given that he's pitched for both the Yankees and Dodgers, he shouldn't have an issue handling the Boston market.

At this point, Aroldis Chapman, Garrett Whitlock, Zack Kelly, Justin Slaten and Greg Weissert seem like locks for the bullpen.

Jovani Moran is probable as well, meaning there's really just two spots available for Kahnle to fill. Danny Coulombe was just signed and Ryan Watson is in the mix meaning that Kahnle could still get in the mix once he's built up, but there aren't a ton of open pathways at this point.

--Red Sox 1B/DH Willson Contreras, as well as OF Wilyer Abreu, captured WBC championships with Venezuela on Tuesday. Abreu hit a home run in 3-2 victory, his second of the tournament.

On the other side, Whitlock was the losing pitcher for Team USA, giving up a double to Eugenio Suarez in the top of the ninth inning. Roman Anthony was the final out of the game - a strikeout. All players will be back in camp ASAP with Opening Day coming on March 26, just eight days from now.

--Not even mentioned in the bullpen mix are Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval, who are working back from injury. They could be bullpen options when healthy as well.

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