The New York Yankees have brought back veteran reliever Adam Ottavino on a major-league deal, the team announced on Tuesday, in a corresponding move in which closer Devin Williams was placed on the paternity list.
The 39-year-old right-hander spent the last three seasons across town with the Mets, posting a 3.14 ERA in 183.1 innings pitched. He spent the 2019 and 2020 seasons with the Yankees following a seven-year stay with the Colorado Rockies.
In that 2019 campaign, he was one of the best relievers in the game, with a 1.90 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 66.1 innings. The following year was one of his worst in the majors, as he sputtered to the tune of a 5.89 ERA in 18.1 innings during the COVID-shortened year. It was his last with the Yankees before signing a deal with the Boston Red Sox.
The Mets granted Ottavino free agency following the 2024 season after he fell out of favor in the bullpen down the stretch. He rejoined the Red Sox on a minor-league deal during the spring and allowed six earned runs on five hits and five walks with eight strikeouts in five innings pitched.
On March 23, he opted out of his deal, allowing him to hit free agency and ultimately rejoin the Yankees.
Ottavino will likely serve as a middle reliever in the Bronx for the time being as he adds another righty to the mix alongside Yoendrys Gomez. With Williams unavailable for the next few days, Luke Weaver will serve as the closer, with Mark Leiter Jr. serving as his set-up man, and Fernando Cruz is likely to get a crack at the seventh inning. All three are right-handers.
