Former Yankees All-Star's Decline Continues With Latest Move

The Pittsburgh Pirates have demoted right-handed reliever Camilo Doval after he spent just over a month with the team, Designating him for assignment. Simultaneously, the Pirates re-instated right-handed pitcher Kirby Yates from the 15-day injured list, the same pitcher the Pirates acquired at the trade deadline. Doval, 29, had a stint with the New York Yankees in 2025 and 2026, arriving from the San Francisco Giants at the 2025 trade deadline.

However, he was not the same closer he was last season, posting a 4.82 ERA while converting just one of his three save opportunities during the regular season. Doval performed slightly better with the Pirates, posting a 3.79 ERA in 19 innings and a 1.74 WHIP over 20 appearances. Despite his struggles with keeping runners off base, Doval's 91st percentile ground ball rate could be advantageous for teams with hitter-friendly stadiums, such as the Rockies and Athletics.

However, his high average exit velocity could present challenges. With a year of arbitration remaining, Doval could be an option for teams looking to bolster their pitching staffs before the end of the season.