The Red Sox weren’t the only MLB team interested in giving the pitcher another shot this season.
After playing for Boston in 2021, he signed a minor-league deal with the team in late February. However, he didn’t make Alex Cora’s Opening Day roster. Unlike fellow veteran Matt Moore, who accepted an assignment to Triple-A Worcester, Ottavino chose to exercise his opt-out clause.
That decision paid off for the 39-year-old, as he secured a major league contract with the Yankees on Tuesday and was immediately added to their active roster.
This isn’t Ottavino’s first stint in the Bronx—he previously pitched for New York in 2019 and 2020. His debut season with the Yankees was one of his best, posting a stellar 1.90 ERA over 66 1/3 innings. Now, he joins a Yankees squad that, as of Tuesday, was one of just three undefeated teams in the league.
If Ottavino remains with Aaron Boone’s club for the long term, he could face the Red Sox in early June when the historic rivals meet at Yankee Stadium for a weekend series.