Pirates Acquire Reliever Doval From Yankees to Strengthen Bullpen

The Pittsburgh Pirates completed a trade with the New York Yankees on Saturday, bringing aboard right-handed reliever Camilo Doval in hopes of stabilizing a struggling bullpen unit. The Pirates sent catching prospect Omar Alfonso and outfield prospect Luis Cruz to the Yankees in the deal, according to an anonymous source who confirmed the transaction with The Associated Press before official league announcement.

Doval, 29, earned All-Star selection in 2023 during his tenure with the San Francisco Giants, where he served as a closer. The Pirates view the veteran pitcher as an essential addition to their relief staff as they pursue a National League wild-card berth, with the team carrying a 55-56 record entering Saturday’s slate of games.

Pittsburgh’s relief pitching has plagued the roster all season, contributing to 20 blown saves despite the team ranking second in the majors for runs scored. A Friday night collapse against Cincinnati—a 8-7 loss in which the Pirates surrendered a two-run eighth-inning lead—underscored the bullpen’s inconsistency. The organization recently removed closer Dennis Santana from its roster and has struggled to identify dependable right-handed pitchers for crucial late-game moments.

Doval posted a 3-1 record with a 4.54 ERA in 44 games during the 2024 season with New York. Recent control problems have raised concerns, as the pitcher has allowed at least one walk in four of his past five outings, including a two-walk performance on July 29 against the Chicago White Sox.