The Liga de Béisbol Profesional de la República Dominicana (LIDOM) has long been a refuge for minor-league castoffs, four-A players, and former major-leaguers. Still, it’s rarely, if ever, been a place for a 38-year-old American-born player like Adam Ottavino.
So why was Ottavino, a 14–year veteran with nearly 750 innings pitched, taking his life and family abroad, landing with the Toros del Este of LIDOM?
“I told them I want to throw innings, innings are my priority,” Ottavino told Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
So after a disappointing season with the New York Mets — a campaign where Ottavino appeared in 60 games but saw his high-leverage opportunities decrease as the season went on — the right-hander packed his bags and headed to the DR in hopes of earning a spot on a roster next season. Ottavino has appeared in just a few games after arriving but will likely see his innings intake increase as he settles in and the Toros (5-10) play more close games.
It certainly also helps that Ottavino “just loves to play baseball.”
Ottavino told Sherman he hopes to manage after baseball and simply loves being around the sport. This stint in LIDOM will only help make that possibility a reality as he embraces a veteran role on the team.
“Even if it is for broadcasting or lots of different things [within the game], it’ll give me a greater perspective on things,” Ottavino said. “It can only help me. It’ll be fun. And I get to keep doing what I love to do.”
