08/01/26 05:22:00
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08/01 17:20 CDT Pirates acquire former All-Star reliever Camilo Doval from the
Yankees,
Pirates acquire former All-Star reliever Camilo Doval from the Yankees,
By WILL GRAVES
AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) --- The Pittsburgh Pirates are acquiring right-handed reliever
Camilo Doval from the New York Yankees in hopes of giving their struggling
bullpen a boost.
Pittsburgh is sending prospects Omar Alfonso, a catcher, and Luis Cruz, an
outfielder, to New York for Doval.
The 29-year-old Doval, an All-Star in 2023 when he served as the closer for the
San Francisco Giants, provides Pittsburgh with a much-needed experienced arm as
the Pirates try to hang around in the crowded race for a National League
wild-card spot.
Pittsburgh's bullpen has been an issue all season. The club has blown 20 saves
this season, perhaps the biggest reason the Pirates entered Saturday at 55-56
despite scoring the second-most runs in the majors. The latest setback came on
Friday night, when a two-run lead in the eighth inning in Cincinnati morphed
into an 8-7 loss.
Doval went 3-1 with a 4.54 ERA in 44 games this season for the Yankees. He has
had issues with walks recently, issuing at least one free pass in four of his
last five appearances with New York, including two while taking the loss
against the Chicago White Sox on July 29. Doval has only thrown 56% of his
first pitches for strikes this season, among the worst first-strike percentages
in the majors.
The durable Doval is one of only eight pitchers to appear in at least 60 games
in each of the last four seasons.
Pittsburgh is hoping a new setting provides a fresh start. The Pirates could
also use the help. The club designated former closer Dennis Santana for
assignment last month and has few viable right-handed options near the back end
of the bullpen.
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