Pirates Trade Yankees for Relief Pitcher

CINCINNATI — The Pittsburgh Pirates have looked at bullpen help and finally made a move ahead of the trade deadline to address it.

The Pirates traded for New York Yankees right-handed relief pitcher Camilo Doval, per Jeff Passan of ESPN. The Pirates will send back prospects in catcher Omar Alfonzo and outfielder Luis Cruz, per Francys Romero.

Alfonzo is the 17th best prospect in the Pirates farm system, per MLB Pipeline, and is in Double-A Altoona, while Cruz is 18 years old and playing in the Dominican Summer League.

It is their first trade ahead of the deadline, as they also added left-handed pitcher Brandon Eisert from the Chicago White Sox on July 10, who is currently at Triple-A Indianapolis, and traded for right-handed pitcher Ron Marinaccio back on July 23 for International Signing bonus money, who is with the Pirates.

Doval brings experience as a closer, with 109 saves in 138 opportunities, most of those coming during his time with the San Francisco Giants, 2021-25, where he led the National League in saves, with 39 in 2023.

He has posted a 3-1 record in 44 appearances, a 4.54 ERA over 39.2 innings this season, 39 strikeouts to 18 walks, a .250 BAA and a 1.41 WHIP this season with the Yankees.