The saga between Adam Ottavino and the New York Yankees is starting to resemble a daytime soap opera—complete with sudden reunions, awkward breakups, and dramatic exits.
On Thursday, Ottavino officially re-entered the free agent pool, once again parting ways with the Yankees after a whirlwind stretch that could give even the most seasoned baseball fan whiplash.
A Reunion Doomed from the Start
It all kicked off on April 1—not a joke, although the timing is ironic—when the Yankees picked up the veteran righty after he was cut loose by the Boston Red Sox.
Ottavino didn’t exactly shine in spring training with Boston, putting up a 10.80 ERA, but the Yankees saw a familiar face and a fresh arm they could plug in, especially with closer Devin Williams stepping away for paternity leave.
In a bullpen that was suddenly short-staffed, Ottavino was the short-term fix, a spare tire in a long road trip. He even delivered 1.1 hitless innings across two games—not earth-shattering, but solid enough for a cameo.
The Roster Rollercoaster
Just three days later, Ottavino was designated for assignment. No time to unpack the suitcase or get familiar with the new locker room vibe.
But in a twist befitting a romantic comedy, he signed right back with the team on April 7 after the Yankees demoted lefty Brent Headrick. Maybe they missed him already. Maybe they just needed another inning-eater.
Whatever the reason, Ottavino was back. Briefly.
Because by April 9, the cycle repeated. Ian Hamilton came off the injured list, and Ottavino? DFA’d again. Like a guest at a party who keeps getting the invite rescinded just as he pulls into the driveway, he found himself once more without a roster spot.
What’s Next for Ottavino?
On Thursday, the inevitable happened: Ottavino elected free agency again. The question now is whether he’ll be content to chase innings on a minor league deal, possibly reuniting with the Yankees yet again—this time in Scranton rather than the Bronx.
One thing’s clear: Ottavino’s stint with the Yankees is starting to resemble a Hollywood relationship—passionate reunions, messy separations, and plenty of tabloid-worthy drama. And just like those celebrity flings, we all know we haven’t seen the last of them together.