With bullpen depth tested by injuries and closer Devin Williams temporarily placed on the paternity list, the Yankees have signed veteran right-hander Adam Ottavino for a second stint in the Bronx.
However, Ottavino’s Yankees reunion is not just about Williams’ absence. It goes beyond that, and manager Aaron Boone reveals the real reason on Tuesday. The 39-year-old reliever, known for his sweeping slider and calm presence under pressure, rejoins the club at a critical time — and could be more than just a temporary fix.
Boone reveals why Yankees sign Ottavino: ‘A quality arm we know well’
Yankees manager Aaron Boone acknowledged that Adam Ottavino had been under consideration for weeks, especially following positive reports from the end of his stint with the Boston Red Sox during spring training.
“He’s kinda been on our board a little bit,” Boone told reporters. “I know the front office has been talking about him the last couple weeks as a potential. Felt like what he was doing back-end of spring training was in-line with who Otto is.”
Boone added, “With Devin [Williams] out, we felt like it was an opportunity to get him in here, and we’re excited to have him back.”
The move was made possible by placing JT Brubaker on the 60-day IL, freeing a spot on the 40-man roster. Ottavino steps into a bullpen missing several key pieces, including Ian Hamilton (virus), Jonathan Loáisiga (recovering from elbow surgery), and Scott Effross (hamstring strain).
A career of peaks and valleys
Ottavino’s return to the Yankees is rich in history. He previously pitched for the club during the 2019 and 2020 seasons. His first year was electric: a 1.90 ERA over 66.1 innings, serving as a dominant right-handed setup man. But his second season was a mixed bag, as he posted a 5.89 ERA in 24 appearances during the COVID-shortened campaign.
Following his departure from the Yankees, Ottavino signed with the Mets and pitched to a stellar 2.06 ERA in 2022, only to see his numbers rise in the subsequent seasons. In 2024, he recorded a 4.34 ERA and 1.286 WHIP in 56 innings for the Mets — numbers that seem middling at first glance. But Boone and the front office took a deeper dive into the metrics before bringing him back.
Under-the-radar value: The analytics entice Yankees
Despite the less flattering ERA from last year, Ottavino’s advanced stats show he may still have plenty left in the tank. He ranked in the 92nd percentile in expected batting average (xBA), 88th in average exit velocity, and 81st in hard-hit rate, according to Statcast. These numbers suggest that opposing hitters weren’t squaring him up — they were simply getting lucky. The Yankees see it well.
“When we first got him, we brought him in to kinda be that righty killer, high-leverage, set-up [man,] and he delivered on that,” the Yankees manager told. “And, obviously, very familiar with what it takes to play here… and he’s played [with] the Mets and Boston. This [pressure environment] is what he knows. This is a chance to get a quality pitcher in here, and hopefully it can help us. And where it goes, we’ll see.”
His sinker, averaging just over 92 mph, held batters to a .231 average and a minuscule .269 slugging percentage, while his slider — long considered one of the most devastating in the game — limited opponents to a .225 average in 2024. Combined with an 86th percentile strikeout rate, Ottavino remains effective at inducing weak contact and missing bats, two qualities essential in high-leverage situations.
Boone backed that up, saying, “I think he’s got a lot left in there. He’s still been very effective, really, throughout his entire career.”
Yankees bullpen holding on amid injuries
While the Yankees’ rotation has been hit harder by injuries this season, the bullpen hasn’t been immune. The absences of Hamilton, Loaisiga, and Effross have left Boone with fewer trusted options in the middle innings, particularly from the right side.
Ottavino’s experience and familiarity with the franchise give the Yankees a low-risk option to plug in while the bullpen regains health. Boone acknowledged that Ottavino understands the expectations and intensity that come with playing in New York.
“When we first got him, we brought him in to be that righty killer, high-leverage setup [man], and he delivered on that,” Boone said. “He’s very familiar with what it takes to play here. He’s been with the Mets and Boston. This [pressure environment] is what he knows.”
Not a temporary fix but a season-long bet
Officially, the Yankees are treating the move as a temporary fix while Devin Williams is away. But if Ottavino performs well, there’s a real chance he sticks around. One potential roster move could involve optioning Brent Headrick to Triple-A. The 27-year-old has one option year remaining, and shifting him could keep Ottavino in the Bronx longer.
Boone left the door open: “We’ll see, we’ll see,” he said when asked about Ottavino’s long-term spot.
Considering Ottavino’s recent track record — at least 60 appearances each of the past four seasons and a 3.41 ERA across that span — there’s reason to believe he can carve out a role, even if it’s not as a late-inning stopper.
Final verdict: Low risk, high potential
For a Yankees team fighting to stay atop the AL East amid injuries and early roster uncertainty, bringing back Adam Ottavino is a logical move. His ability to generate weak contact, miss bats, and handle the bright lights of Yankee Stadium gives the bullpen a steadying veteran presence.
He may not be the same pitcher who dominated in 2019, but if he can give the Yankees solid sixth or seventh-inning innings, the signing will be more than justified.
For now, the Yankees have added a proven reliever, signed for just $1 million in majors and $150,000 in minors, at a time when they needed one — and perhaps unlocked another chapter in Ottavino’s winding journey through New York baseball.
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