The Red Sox had indicated they planned to add at least one more reliever, and Tuesday morning they brought in an old friend to compete for a spot in the bullpen.

According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Red Sox have signed right-hander Adam Ottavino to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. Ottavino, 39, spent last season with the New York Mets and posted a 4.34 ERA over 60 appearances.

Ottavino previously pitched for the Red Sox in 2021, when he was among the club’s top set-up men and played a crucial role in that fall’s run to the American League Championship Series. The Northeastern University alumnus appeared in 69 games while posting a 4.21 ERA in his lone season in Boston.

Overall Ottavino has played 14 MLB seasons entering 2025, posting a 3.49 ERA in 724 career appearances.

Ottavino becomes the 13th non-roster pitcher in big league camp, and arguably among the favorites of that group to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster. Despite a fastball that averages 92-94 mph, Ottavino still averaged 11.3 strikeouts per nine innings in 2024, ranking 86th percentile in strikeout percentage (28.6%), per Statcast.