Reunion: Adam Ottavino, 39, returns to the Yankees, where he previously pitched in 2019 and 2020.
Roster Moves: The signing coincides with closer Devin Williams being placed on the paternity list and pitcher JT Brubaker being transferred to the 60-day injured list, creating space on both the active and 40-man rosters.
Recent History: Ottavino spent the last three seasons with the New York Mets and briefly signed with the Boston Red Sox this past February before being released in late March.
Experience: A 14-year MLB veteran, Ottavino brings significant experience with a career 3.49 ERA over 724 appearances. Despite his age, he's remained durable, appearing in at least 60 games in each of the past four seasons with a respectable 3.41 ERA during that span.
Why this matters: Adding Ottavino provides immediate, experienced bullpen depth at a low risk. While likely not destined for a high-leverage role initially, he offers the Yankees a capable arm to handle middle innings, crucial during a long season, especially with Williams temporarily unavailable.
The Yankees' decision to sign Adam Ottavino represents a pragmatic move to add bullpen depth with a known commodity. Having recently been released by the Red Sox after exercising an opt-out clause, Ottavino became available for New York to bring back into the fold. His first stint with the Yankees included a strong 2019 campaign (1.90 ERA). While his performance dipped slightly in the shortened 2020 season, he remained a serviceable reliever.
His subsequent three years with the Mets demonstrated continued durability, surpassing 60 appearances each season. Though his 4.34 ERA in 56 innings last year might seem high, underlying metrics like whiff rates suggest his signature slider still has effectiveness.
This signing isn't expected to drastically alter the back-end of the bullpen hierarchy, especially once Devin Williams returns. Luke Weaver is likely to handle closing duties in Williams' absence. Instead, Ottavino provides manager Aaron Boone with a flexible, veteran option capable of pitching in the sixth or seventh innings, absorbing valuable outs and protecting younger arms. It's a depth play, banking on Ottavino's experience and the potential for his stuff to play up in shorter stints within a strong bullpen structure. Given the low acquisition cost and the constant need for reliable relief pitching over a 162-game season, bringing back Ottavino offers potential upside with minimal risk.
Q: Why did the Yankees sign Adam Ottavino now?
A: The Yankees needed immediate bullpen depth due to Devin Williams going on the paternity list. Ottavino, an experienced veteran familiar with the team, was recently released by the Red Sox and available on a major league deal.
Q: Is this Adam Ottavino's first time with the Yankees?
A: No, this is his second stint. He previously pitched for the Yankees in the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
Q: What role is Ottavino expected to fill?
A: Initially, he's expected to provide middle-inning relief depth, helping to bridge the gap to the later innings, especially while closer Devin Williams is unavailable.
Veteran Depth: The Yankees added a seasoned arm to their bullpen without significant cost.
Familiarity: Ottavino knows the pressures of pitching in New York from his time with both the Yankees and Mets.
Role Expectation: Expect Ottavino to pitch mostly in the middle innings rather than high-leverage situations initially.
Low-Risk Move: This signing provides potential innings coverage with little downside for the team.
What are your thoughts on Adam Ottavino returning to the Yankees? Do you think this veteran addition will significantly bolster the bullpen? Let us know!
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Source 2: Yankees bring back Adam Ottavino on major league deal - NY Post (Note: Actual URL inferred based on content)
Source 3: Yankees sign 39-year-old former relief pitcher - Empire Sports Media (Note: Actual URL inferred based on content)
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