It's been a strange couple of weeks for former Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Adam Ottavino. The 15-year MLB veteran had trouble finding work this offseason following a mediocre 2024 season as a member of the New York Mets, during which he produced a 4.34 ERA over 56 innings.
The Red Sox signed Ottavino as a non-roster invitee to spring training in February, and he looked like a solid low-risk/high-reward pickup by Craig Breslow. Ottavino's reunion with the Red Sox would ultimately be short-lived, as the team granted the 39-year-old his release after being informed he would not make the Opening Day roster. He produced a dismal 10.80 ERA and allowed six earned runs in 5.0 innings of spring training work.
But established and durable arms like Ottavino's are a valuable commodity to have in any MLB bullpen, so it didn't take long for one hated rival to seek it's own reunion with the unemployed reliever to help fill a temporary need in their bullpen. The New York Yankees developed a roster need when closer Devin Williams was placed on the paternity list on April 1st and quickly signed Ottavino to take his place on a temporary basis.
Former Red Sox reliever Adam Ottavino has been signed and DFA'd by the Yankees twice in April
The Yankees have designated Adam Ottavino for assignment for the second time this week https://t.co/Vf2lUONW6d pic.twitter.com/OQkaczjro8
— SNY (@SNYtv) April 8, 2025
Ottavino spun 1 1/3 scoreless innings and notched two strikeouts in two appearances with the Bronx Bombers, but they designated him for assignment earlier this week following Williams' return to the active roster. But Ottavino wasn't out of work long following reports on April 7 that the Yankees had re-signed him to a Major League contract. He pitched another third of an inning in pinstripes against the Tigers later that night, but it has been reported that the Yankees have DFA'd Ottavino for the second time this week.
Ottavino's rollercoaster week is starting to become comical at this point. It remains to be seen how much he has left in the tank. His last elite season was in 2022 when he experienced a career resurgence that saw him produce a 2.06 ERA and a 0.975 WHIP as a member of the New York Mets.
Ottavino is now three seasons removed from that type of success, which could explain the turnover in his employment. At this point, it wouldn't come as a surprise if Ottavino and the Yankees work out another deal later this week to make things even more confusing.