Pirates Get Ahead of the Inevitable With Camilo Doval

The first move the Pirates made to try and bolster their bullpen ahead of the trade deadline was acquiring Camilo Doval from the Yankees on Aug. 1 Pittsburgh landed the right-hander in exchange for catching prospect Omar Alfonzo and outfield prospect Luis Cruz.

On Tuesday, Doval's tenure with the Pirates came to an end. In a somewhat surprising move, he was designated for assignment to make room for Kirby Yates — another deadline acquisition — who returned from the injured list.

"It was a tough decision," Kelly said on Tuesday.

Doval made 20 appearances for the Pirates and went 0-1 with a 3.79 ERA. He had high strikeout totals — 23 in 19 innings — but also walked 14 batters. In 64 combined games between the Pirates and Yankees this season, Doval went 3-2 with a 4.30 ERA and one save

Given the way the team's pitching staff is currently constructed with two bullpen games through the final five games of the season, the Pirates preferred the length some other options offer.

"He had some really good games and a couple tough ones," Kelly said of Doval. "He's got some really good stuff. Ultimately, it really just came down to being able to maximize innings especially with some younger guys, too, that have pitched pretty well themselves."

Another factor that played into the decision was that Doval is entering his final arbitration year this year. With a $6.1 million salary this year, the 29-year-old could command $7-8 million — if not more — for 2027. He will become a free agent at the end of next season.

The decision to DFA him means Doval wasn't to be tendered a contract. Instead of waiting until the offseason to make a move, the Pirates decided to act now. Pittsburgh will be looking to add to its improved bullpen this offseason, but will do so looking for a more cost-effective option.