Ottavino features filthy stuff in workout

TAMPA, Fla. -- The insane break on Adam Ottavino's slider still had some of the Yankees' hitters buzzing after Thursday's workout at George M. Steinbrenner Field, and they shared the same general sentiment: thank goodness they won't have to face him in games.

Ottavino struck out all four batters he faced on a back diamond of the complex, fanning Gleyber Torres, Tyler Wade, Luke Voit and then Wade again. Showcasing a heavy fastball and several breaks of his video-game slider during the session, Ottavino heard Voit howl as he swung and missed at one particularly nasty offering.

"I'm glad he's over here, man," Wade said. "After seeing that live and in person, seeing him compete and being in the box, that was pretty impressive. The command he had and the movement he had on all of his pitches, that was no joke."

The 33-year-old Ottavino agreed to a three-year, $27 million deal last month, coming off a 2018 season in which he posted a 2.43 ERA in 75 appearances for the Rockies, while striking out 112 batters in 77 2/3 innings.

Aaron Judge said this week that he was "praying" that the front office would bring Ottavino on board, and manager Aaron Boone compared the angle and break of Ottavino's slider to that of former Yankees reliever Jeff Nelson.

"Otto can shape it a couple of different ways," Boone said. "Last year, he added the cut fastball which he features as well, which is kind of an in-between of the fastball and the slider for him. He's got a really good sense of being able to strike it and keep it shorter.

"He can throw the one that really breaks across the plate, but the deception and the angle makes it very difficult for hitters to pick up. There's going to be times where hitters will try and discipline themselves to make sure they lay off and not chase the slider. That's why the ability to strike it becomes important."

Miguel Andujar, who had faced James Paxton and Masahiro Tanaka earlier in the morning, seemed to want no part of digging in against Ottavino.

"It was funny to see Miggy when he walked off. He just kind of motioned to Gleyber like, 'Let's go [get out of here],'" Boone said. "As a right-handed hitter, it's like, 'That's not a fun at-bat right there.' When he executes, you're not even upset when you're out. You're just glad it's over with."

Bird goes deep

Greg Bird's swing has looked sharp through the first several workouts, producing a home run off Tanaka and a single off Paxton in Thursday's simulated action. Bird has been working out at the Yankees' complex since January, and he said that he was pleased to face live pitching.

"Good swing. It's a step in the right direction," Bird said. "I felt way better than I did yesterday from the first pitch I saw, so that was nice."

Bird said that he put on about 20 pounds over the offseason, weighing in at 230, though he did not attribute it to weightlifting. Bird said he believes the added bulk could help him maintain his health this season.

"I was able to start over and get to where I needed to be, and work from the ground up," Bird said. "That's the best way I'd explain it. Get a good base, then work, and be able to work on what I needed to work on. I didn't change anything, I just got back to where I needed to be. It's been great."

Bombers bits

• Tanaka faced five batters, retiring four after Bird's homer. Working to catcher Kyle Higashioka, Tanaka threw 32 pitches (21 for strikes). Paxton was teamed with Austin Romine and threw 27 pitches (19 for strikes), permitting a line-drive double to Troy Tulowitzki and Bird's single.

• Left-hander Nestor Cortes Jr. will start the Yankees' spring opener against the Red Sox on Saturday in Fort Myers. Boone said that Andujar, Bird, Aaron Hicks and Torres are all on the travel roster.

• Right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga is set to start New York's second spring game against the Rays on Sunday in Port Charlotte.

• Catcher Ryan Lavarnway (flu) returned to camp on Thursday. Left-hander CC Sabathia (right knee surgery) is "moving slow but making quality progress," according to Boone.