Former Major League Baseball (MLB) saves king Camilo Doval, a right-handed pitcher, has been traded from the New York Yankees to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Pirates announced the trade on August 2, sending catcher Omar Alfonso and outfielder Luis Cruz to the Yankees in exchange for Doval.
As part of the deal, the Yankees agreed to cover a portion of Doval’s 6.1 million USD salary.
Doval, who made his big league debut with the San Francisco Giants in 2021, has appeared in 341 games throughout his MLB career. He’s posted a 29-20 record with 109 saves, 26 holds, and a 3.53 ERA.
In 2023, Doval led the National League with 39 saves and earned an All-Star nod.
However, his performance became inconsistent, leading to a midseason trade to the Yankees last year.
Doval’s struggles continued in pinstripes. He recorded a 0-1 record with one save, three holds, and a 4.82 earned run avergae (ERA) in 22 appearances for the Yankees last season. This year, his woes persisted, as he posted a 3-1 record with one save, four holds, and a 4.54 ERA across 44 games.
His 1.41 Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched (WHIP) and four blown saves this season further highlight his lack of consistency.
The Pirates, currently third in the NL Central with a 55-56 record, are eyeing their first postseason berth since 2015. While they boast a competitive rotation led by reigning Cy Young winner Paul Skains and a solid lineup, their bullpen has been a weakness. The addition of Doval aims to address this issue as Pittsburgh pushes for a playoff spot.