The Boston Red Sox couldn't have asked for a more disappointing start to the 2025 MLB season. After an exciting offseason that saw the likes of Garrett Crochet and Alex Bregman come to town, the Red Sox sit at the bottom of the AL East with a 1-4 record ahead of Wednesday's matchup with the Baltimore Orioles.
With the Red Sox giving fans little to cheer about, now is a good time to check in on what some of the club's former players are up to. As it turns out, one reliever who just left the franchise not that long ago is already back in the AL East with one of Boston's rivals.
Former Red Sox RHP Adam Ottavino Signed by Yankees
On Tuesday, the New York Yankees announced that they have signed former Red Sox reliever Adam Ottavino to an MLB contract. It's the 39-year-old righty's second stint with the Yankees after previously playing in New York in 2019 and 2020.
Prior to tonight’s game, the Yankees made the following roster moves:
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 1, 2025
• Signed RHP Adam Ottavino to a Major League contract and added him to the active roster.
• Transferred RHP JT Brubaker to the 60-day injured list.
• Placed RHP Devin Williams on the paternity list.
Red Sox fans will most remember Ottavino from his 2021 stint with the franchise. He made 69 relief appearances that season, pitching his way to a career-high seven victories while tallying a 4.21 ERA with 71 strikeouts across 62 innings. He left Boston after that year, though, spending the next three campaigns with the New York Mets.
After hitting free agency in the offseason, Ottavino returned to the Red Sox on a minor-league contract in February. His spring training performance was largely forgettable, though. He finished the exhibition slate with a putrid 10.80 ERA after pitching five innings in as many relief outings, resulting in his being sent to the minors.
Ottavino quickly requested his release after being demoted, and it didn't take long for the Red Sox to grant his wish. He became a free agent on March 23, allowing him to sign with the Yankees about a week later. He then made his debut against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday, recording one strikeout and a walk without allowing a run against the three batters he faced.
The Red Sox don't play the Yankees until early June, meaning it'll be another two months before Boston fans will potentially be reunited with their former reliever. Whether or not he pitches well enough to still be with New York when that series begins remains to be seen.
In the meantime, Ottavino's chances of adding a division title to his resume went up after changing teams. FanDuel Sportsbook is currently favoring the Yankees to win the AL East in 2025 (+115), whereas the Red Sox's slow start has led to their having the third-best odds (+410).
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