The Boston Red Sox are making their final roster decisions as Opening Day approaches, and not every player is benefiting from the process. One of the most competitive areas has been the bullpen, where several pitchers have been vying for key roles. While some have secured prominent spots, others have found themselves on the outside looking in.
Aroldis Chapman emerged as one of the biggest winners of Spring Training, earning the team’s closer role. Meanwhile, Liam Hendriks has been designated as the primary setup man, with Justin Slaten, Garrett Whitlock, and Justin Wilson expected to play significant roles throughout the season. This core group will form the backbone of Boston’s bullpen, providing stability during the crucial late innings. However, not all pitchers have shared in this success, and the team’s decisions have left some players searching for new opportunities.
One notable departure is veteran reliever Adam Ottavino. According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive, the Red Sox have granted Ottavino his release after he exercised an opt-out clause in his contract. The 39-year-old right-hander had hoped to carve out a place in Boston’s bullpen but struggled during Spring Training. In five innings of Grapefruit League play, Ottavino allowed six earned runs while issuing five walks and striking out eight batters. These underwhelming numbers ultimately led to his demotion and subsequent decision to pursue opportunities with other teams.
Ottavino’s release marks the end of a brief tenure with the Red Sox. After spending the previous three seasons with the New York Mets, where he posted a solid 3.14 ERA across 192 appearances, he joined Boston on a minor league contract during the offseason. Despite maintaining a strong 28.6% strikeout rate and limiting hard contact—averaging an exit velocity of 87.1 mph, according to Baseball Savant—his ongoing control issues proved to be his downfall. Ottavino recorded a 9.4% walk rate last season, and his inability to correct that problem during Spring Training ultimately cost him a spot on the major league roster.
While Ottavino opted to leave the organization, fellow veteran Matt Moore has chosen to remain with the Red Sox. Despite also being demoted, Moore will begin the season with Triple-A Worcester, providing Boston with an experienced depth option. This decision comes at a time when the Red Sox are already facing challenges in their pitching staff. With starters Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford opening the season on the injured list and Walker Buehler being unexpectedly scratched from a scheduled start, the team’s bullpen depth will be tested early in the year.
As the Red Sox navigate these early-season hurdles, the departure of Ottavino highlights the competitive nature of their bullpen while emphasizing the need for effective and reliable relief options moving forward.
