The New York Yankees made a significant roster move on Tuesday, designating veteran right-handed pitcher Adam Ottavino for assignment while simultaneously reinstating reliever Devin Williams from the paternity list, signaling a pivotal shift in their bullpen strategy as they navigate the early stages of the 2025 season.

Ottavino, 39, has struggled to find his rhythm this season, posting an uncharacteristically high ERA while his signature slider has lacked the devastating movement that once made him one of the game’s most feared relievers during his prime years with the Colorado Rockies and his first stint with the Yankees from 2019-2020.

The designation for assignment gives the Yankees seven days to either trade Ottavino, release him outright, or assign him to the minor leagues should he clear waivers, bringing an unceremonious potential end to his second tenure in pinstripes after rejoining the team as a free agent last offseason following productive stints with the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets.

Williams, meanwhile, returns to bolster a bullpen that has faced early-season instability, bringing his electric changeup—nicknamed the “Airbender” for its almost supernatural movement—back into the Yankees’ late-inning mix after briefly stepping away to welcome a new addition to his family. The 2020 National League Reliever of the Year, acquired in a blockbuster trade from Milwaukee last offseason, has quickly established himself as a cornerstone of the Yankees’ relief corps, bridging the gap to closer Clay Holmes with remarkable efficiency and providing manager Aaron Boone with another high-leverage option in crucial situations.

This roster shuffle reflects the perpetual evolution of major league bullpens and the ruthless efficiency with which even storied franchises like the Yankees must operate in pursuit of their 28th World Series championship, as sentiment gives way to performance and younger arms with more explosive stuff replace veterans whose skills have begun to diminish with age. For Ottavino, who has amassed over 650 appearances across a respected 13-year career marked by his unorthodox delivery and slider-heavy approach, this designation represents a crossroads that could lead to retirement, a minor league assignment, or perhaps an opportunity with another contender willing to gamble on his experience and track record of success.

As for the Yankees, the return of Williams fortifies their bullpen with elite talent as they face a grueling stretch of divisional play in the hyper-competitive American League East, where razor-thin margins often separate playoff contenders from October observers and every pitching decision carries outsized importance in the standings. The move ultimately underscores baseball’s unsentimental nature, where roster spots remain precious commodities and performance trumps loyalty, even for respected veterans like Ottavino who once dominated the late innings for the very team now moving in a different direction.

It was a short-lived return to The Bronx for reliever Adam Ottavino, as the Yankees designated him for assignment on Friday, the team announced.

In a corresponding move, the team reinstated closer Devin Williams from the paternity list.

Ottavino, 39, signed a deal with New York on April 1 and pitched in two games. The right-hander allowed no hits, struck out two, and walked two over 1.1 innings of work.

The veteran was released by the Boston Red Sox after failing to make the roster out of spring training.

Ottavino first played for the Yanks from 2019 to 2020, owning a career-best 1.90 ERA in 2019. He then spent the 2021 season in Boston, followed by three years with the Mets from 2022-2024, pitching to a 4.34 ERA and 1.28 WHIP across 60 appearances during the 2024 season.