Williams’ slip triggers domino effect of Yankees bullpen changes

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Within hours of the Yankees’ heartbreaking walk-off defeat in Pittsburgh following Devin Williams’ first loss, the front office made some quick changes to the bullpen roster. The team re-signed seasoned right-hander Adam Ottavino, and he is slated to be available for their three-game series against the Detroit Tigers beginning Monday.

The roster shift, confirmed by SNY’s Andy Martino, came just hours after the Yankees announced Ottavino had elected free agency rather than accept an outright assignment. The twist? The 39-year-old returned to the club on a major league deal — his second stint with the team in just over a week.

Ottavino’s brief departure and quick return

This marks Ottavino’s second appearance on the roster in recent days, having previously been called up while closer Devin Williams was on paternity leave. During that brief stint, Ottavino made two appearances against the Arizona Diamondbacks, delivering 1 1/3 innings without allowing a run, though he issued two walks while getting four of six batters out.

The Yankees designated him for assignment when Williams returned—a procedural move that might recur later this week, as right-handed reliever Ian Hamilton is anticipated to come off the injured list during the Detroit series.

He may be used in a set-up role for Luke Weaver, who may also return to his previous closing role.

Headrick demoted despite impressive numbers

To accommodate Ottavino on the 26-man roster, the Yankees optioned left-hander Brent Headrick to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre—a move that raised eyebrows considering Headrick’s excellent early-season performance.

The 26-year-old southpaw has posted 5 2/3 scoreless innings across multiple relief appearances, including two shutout frames in Sunday’s loss to Pittsburgh. With nine strikeouts against just one walk, Headrick had established himself as a dependable bullpen option.

So what prompted the demotion?

Team sources indicate the Yankees desperately needed a pitcher who could work immediately after a grueling series where starters Marcus Stroman and Will Warren each completed just four innings. This forced the bullpen to cover 11 1/3 innings over the final two games—a substantial workload just nine games into the campaign.

Furthermore, Headrick had thrown 36 pitches on Sunday, making him unavailable for the next few days. With minor league options remaining, he became the logical candidate for demotion despite his stellar results.

Managing bullpen workload becomes Yankees priority

While the Yankees‘ relief corps has delivered strong results in early 2025, inconsistent performances from the starting rotation have stretched them thin. In consecutive games, manager Aaron Boone had to turn to his bullpen earlier than ideal, highlighting the need for depth and availability.

Ottavino’s temporary return—bringing playoff experience and composure—serves as a bridging move until Hamilton’s activation. Once the right-hander returns, the Yankees will likely designate Ottavino for assignment again, barring further injuries or performance issues.

Hamilton poised for comeback

Ian Hamilton, a key high-leverage reliever who impressed in 2024 with a 2.64 ERA and 69 strikeouts across 61 1/3 innings, has been recovering from a spring infection that delayed his preparation. Now deemed ready, Hamilton could rejoin the Yankees bullpen as early as Tuesday.

His return will strengthen the late-inning relief corps featuring Devin Williams, Caleb Ferguson, and Nick Burdi, bolstering a group that has performed well despite heavy usage.

Brent Headrick’s demotion might seem unfair given his effectiveness, but it underscores a practical reality in modern roster management—availability and flexibility often outweigh performance in short-term decisions. With Hamilton returning soon and the Yankees building a playoff-caliber bullpen, Ottavino’s return offers veteran stability when every inning counts.

If nothing else, this move demonstrates the Yankees’ adaptability—and willingness to make difficult choices to keep their pitching staff fresh and their bullpen prepared for the long season ahead.

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