The Red Sox weren’t the only MLB team interested in taking a second look at Adam Ottavino this season.
Ottavino, who spent the 2021 season in Boston, signed a minor-league deal with the Red Sox in late February. The right-hander didn’t make Alex Cora’s Opening Day roster, though, and unlike fellow veteran arm Matt Moore, Ottavino triggered his opt-out clause instead of latching on with Triple-A Worcester.
That was a shrewd move by the 39-year-old, who signed a major league contract with the Yankees on Tuesday and was added to their active roster.
Of course, Ottavino is not a stranger to the Bronx after spending the 2019 and 2020 seasons in pinstripes. His first campaign in New York arguably was the best of his career, as he posted a minuscule 1.90 ERA over 66 1/3 innings. Ottavino now will join a Yankees club that entered Tuesday as one of only three unbeaten left in the big leagues.
Should the Northeastern product stick with Aaron Boone and company for the long haul, his first opportunity to pitch against the Red Sox will be in early June when the longtime rivals meet for a weekend series at Yankee Stadium.
