New York Yankees DFA Veteran Pitcher After One Appearance

April 05, 2025

The Yankees designated veteran reliever Adam Ottavino for assignment, ending his brief return to the Bronx just days after it began. 

The 39-year-old signed with New York earlier this week when closer Devin Williams was placed on the paternity list. Ottavino made two appearances in the series against the Diamondbacks, tossing 1.1 scoreless innings with two strikeouts and two walks. 

Despite the clean outings, his spot on the roster was always temporary, and with Williams now back, the club made the expected move.

Ottavino’s second stint with the Yankees was short but notable given his previous success with the team in 2019, when he posted a 1.90 ERA across 73 appearances. 

His career includes stops with the St. Louis Cardinals, Colorado Rockies, Boston Red Sox, and New York Mets, with a lifetime 3.48 ERA over 15 seasons. After struggling to find a guaranteed contract this past offseason and being released by Boston following a tough spring, Ottavino quickly latched on with New York for one final shot. 

Though he showed he could still get outs, the Yankees went for roster flexibility with a bullpen led by Williams, who has emerged as one of the best closers in baseball.

Now back in limbo, Ottavino awaits his next opportunity. The Yankees have seven days to trade him or attempt to pass him through waivers. 

Given his experience and ability to handle high-leverage innings in the past, it’s possible another team takes a flyer on him. “He’s been around a long time and knows how to get big outs,” one AL scout noted. “If there’s a contender in need of depth, he’ll be on the radar.”

Photo Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

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