It feels like Opening Day was yesterday as the 2025 MLB season continues flying by. The Boston Red Sox are off to an up-and-down 6-6 start to the campaign, leaving them sitting in third place in the AL East ahead of Wednesday evening's clash with the rival Toronto Blue Jays.
Back-to-back losses to the Blue Jays have left Red Sox fans feeling slightly demoralized, to say the least. No one would blame those fans for taking a break from the current situation to look at what the rest of the MLB is up to, including a former Boston pitcher who was just sent packing for the second time in 2025.
Yankees Designate Former Red Sox RHP Adam Ottavino for Assignment
The New York Yankees announced on Tuesday morning that right-handed reliever Adam Ottavino had been designated for assignment, per MLB Trade Rumors' Steve Adams. It's the second time in a week the Yankees sent Ottavino packing after DFA'ing him on Apr. 4.
One day after being cut, Ottavino told "Foul Territory TV" that he wasn't surprised by the Yankees' decision.
"Devin Williams was on the paternity list and that only lasts three days," Ottavino said. "I knew he was coming back, so the clock was ticking... I knew it was going to be a short stay, more than likely. (The Yankees) were upfront about that."
Adam Ottavino, who was just designated for assignment for the second time in five days, opens up about the experience.
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) April 9, 2025
"I knew he [Devin Williams] was coming back, so the clock was ticking." pic.twitter.com/Yc5JxDs3hm
Ottavino being DFA'd for a second time by the Yankees is the latest bump on his whirlwind 2025 experience. The 39-year-old reliever went from signing a minor-league deal with the Red Sox to being released by them within 34 days, only to be kicked to the curb twice by the Yankees in less than two weeks.
While a similar experience might discourage a player from chasing their dreams, that isn't the case for Ottavino. The former 2006 first-rounder also told Foul Territory that he's refusing to sign any minor-league offers, only wanting to continue playing if it's on an MLB contract.
It'll be interesting to see if any suitors are legitimately willing to give Ottavino a big-league deal. The New York native played to mixed results in his three appearances (1 2/3 innings) with the Yankees, recording three strikeouts and four walks with a 2.400 WHIP against the nine batters he faced.
One of the MLB's biggest rivalries, the Red Sox and Yankees won't be facing each other until the middle of June. Although he might be playing elsewhere by then, it also gives Ottavino more than enough time to begin his third stint with either AL East franchise.