Dan

Otero

Otero, who pitched for the Indians from 2016-2019, is expected to assist with advanced scouting. The 36-year-old was a non-roster invitee with the Yankees last year, but didn’t make the team. His playing career is presumably over.

Otero was signed to a minor league contract moments after being released by the Yankees on June 28. He was/is unlikely to make an impact for New York during the shortened 2020 season.

This is a procedural move that will allow Otero to be included as part of the Yankees’ initial 60-man player pool for the shortened 2020 season. The veteran reliever joined the Yankees in early February after struggling to a 4.85 ERA and 1.52 WHIP over 29 2/3 innings last year with the Indians.

Otero will turn 35 later this month and is coming off back-to-back disappointing seasons. However, he did post a 2.14 ERA from 2016-17 with the Indians, so the veteran reliever is worth a shot on a minor league pact.

Otero’s first two seasons with the Tribe were excellent, but he’s struggled the last two years with a 5.09 ERA. He will turn 35 in February.

Otero was among the steadiest setup men in baseball between 2016-2017, but he has registered an ugly 5.09 ERA with only 59 strikeouts in 88 1/3 innings over the last two seasons. The 34-year-old will officially become a free agent after the World Series.

Otero has been out since May with shoulder issues but got through a rehab assignment without any problems. He could eventually work his way back into a setup role.

Otero has been on the shelf since late May with inflammation in his right shoulder, though he did begin a minor league rehab assignment earlier this month and could be back with Cleveland sometime in August.

Otero has been out since late May with inflammation in his right shoulder, so he’ll probably be asked to make several appearances in the minors. If all goes well, the reliever could rejoin the Indians in early August.

It’s the first time in Otero’s eight-year career that he’s landed on the DL/IL. Josh Smith has replaced him in the bullpen.