BRAKING: Red Sox Bring Reunion With Reliever To End Before Opening Day

The Boston Red Sox took a chance on bringing back reliever Adam Ottavino this offseason, offering him an opportunity to rejoin the team.

Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, prioritizing bullpen depth, signed the 39-year-old to a minor league deal in February, giving him a shot at making the major league roster in spring training. However, Ottavino’s performance didn’t meet the team’s expectations, leading Boston to release him on Sunday—just four days before Opening Day.

A 14-year MLB veteran, Ottavino previously pitched for the Red Sox in 2021, appearing in 69 games with a 4.21 ERA while helping Boston reach the ALCS, where they fell two wins short of the World Series. Over the past three seasons, he played for the Mets, aiming to contribute to their postseason aspirations.

Ottavino’s release followed his opt-out clause being triggered, making him a free agent. He will likely seek another minor league deal after a 2024 season in New York where he posted a 4.34 ERA—worse than the league average of 4.15—over 60 appearances, with 70 strikeouts in 56 innings. Despite several teams needing bullpen help, Ottavino received little interest this offseason.

During spring training, he struggled when called upon by Red Sox manager Alex Cora, recording a 10.80 ERA in five appearances. He surrendered six earned runs on five hits and five walks in five innings, striking out eight. With Boston already having a deep bullpen and Ottavino failing to stand out, his comeback attempt fell short.

The Red Sox bolstered their relief corps by signing veterans Aroldis Chapman and Justin Wilson, as well as welcoming back Liam Hendriks, who missed 2024, and Garrett Whitlock, who transitioned from the rotation. Along with several spring training invitees, Boston had plenty of options, making Ottavino the odd man out.