Minutes after the Yankees’ 5–4 extra-innings loss to the Pirates on Sunday, the team announced that they had cut ties with veteran reliever Adam Ottavino, ending a brief reunion that never really had time to settle in.
On Friday, Ottavino had been designated for assignment to clear a roster spot for Devin Williams, who returned from the paternity list. Ottavino declined to accept an assignment to Triple-A, as is his right as a veteran. That means the Yankees released officially on Sunday evening, less than a week after signing the Brooklyn native to a major league contract on April 1.
He is a free agent again.
Ottavino went from unsigned veteran to Opening Week bullpen piece to roster casualty in the span of six days. He appeared in two games for the Yankees this season, not allowing a run in 1 1 ⅓ innings of work.
The 39-year-old helped the Yankees piece together a bullpen that was hammered by injuries early on. This spring, they had Clayton Beeter, Scott Effross, Jake Cousins, Jonathan Loaisiga, and Hamilton go on the injured list. They also had non-roster invitee Tyler Matzek, who had impressed them this spring, go on the IL.
Ottavino had pitched for the Yankees in 2019 and 2020 and returned after three seasons with the Mets. He made 60 appearances for the Mets in 2024, posting a 4.34 ERA with 70 strikeouts across 56 innings. He was particularly effective against right-handed hitters, holding them to a .199 average and stranding 15 of 20 inherited runners (75%).
He had signed a minor league deal with the Red Sox in February but opted out on March 23. The Yankees quickly scooped him up.
