The Yankees announced this morning that they have designated right-hander Adam Ottavino for assignment. This move creates space on the roster for closer Devin Williams, who is returning from the paternity list.
Ottavino, 39, is in his 15th season in Major League Baseball. He made his debut in 2010 with the St. Louis Cardinals, pitching 22 1/3 innings, but didn’t establish himself as a consistent major leaguer until 2012 with the Colorado Rockies. Over seven seasons in Colorado, Ottavino built a strong reputation as one of the few pitchers who could consistently perform well at Coors Field, posting a 3.41 ERA (136 ERA+) and a 3.42 FIP in 390 2/3 innings.
However, since 2019, Ottavino has pitched on the East Coast. He signed with the Yankees in January 2019 on a three-year deal and had an immediate impact with a 1.90 ERA and a 31.1% strikeout rate in 73 appearances that year.
His performance dipped in 2020, with Ottavino posting the first below-average ERA of his career. The Yankees then traded him to the Red Sox ahead of the final year of his contract. While he rebounded somewhat with a 4.21 ERA (112 ERA+) and a 3.96 FIP, his numbers reflected a solid middle reliever rather than a top setup man.
Adam Ottavino
Ottavino returned to New York in 2022, but this time with the Mets, where he spent three seasons. He posted a 3.14 ERA (128 ERA+) with a 3.66 FIP, but his effectiveness began to decline as he entered his late 30s. Over the past two years, his performance became more average, with a 3.75 ERA (111 ERA+) and a 4.11 FIP in 117 2/3 innings. After a subpar final year with the Mets, Ottavino was unable to find a guaranteed big league contract this offseason and pitched for the Red Sox in Spring Training, where he struggled, allowing six runs in five innings.
Ottavino was released by the Red Sox before Opening Day and signed with the Yankees earlier this week. However, he made just two appearances during his brief return, pitching 1 1/3 scoreless innings, with no hits allowed and two strikeouts against two walks.
The Yankees now have one week to either trade Ottavino or place him on waivers. If he clears waivers, they could attempt to send him to the minors, though Ottavino has enough service time to reject that option and become a free agent.
Ottavino’s departure paves the way for the return of Devin Williams, whom the Yankees acquired from the Brewers in exchange for Caleb Durbin and Nestor Cortes during the offseason. Williams, the 2020 NL Rookie of the Year and a two-time All-Star, is known for his dominant closing ability, posting a 1.83 ERA and a 2.39 FIP over 235 2/3 innings for the Brewers. Though his Yankees debut got off to a rough start, allowing a run in his first outing, there is little doubt he will return to form now that he’s back with the team.
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