Report: Pirates acquire reliever Camilo Doval from Yankees

The Yankees will receive Pirates’ No. 17 prospect, catcher Omar Alfonzo and 18-year-old outfielder Luis Cruz in return, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.

Formerly the San Francisco Giants’ closer for three-and-a-half seasons, Doval was traded to the Yankees at last season’s deadline and hasn’t been able to find the same success in the Bronx.

The 29-year-old right-hander has pitched to a 4.63 ERA and 1.47 WHIP, with 61 strikeouts and 29 walks over 58.1 innings in his time with the Yankees.

Doval was significantly more effective with the Giants, logging a 3.29 ERA and 1.26 WHIP, adding 107 saves, including a National League-leading 39 in 2023 that earned him an all-star selection.

However, despite his mediocre results recently, Doval still boasts an elite 98.6 m.p.h. average fastball velocity that ranks among the game’s top arms, making him a valuable addition to the Pirates’ relief corps as they push for their first post-season berth since 2015.

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.

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 have few viable right-handed options near the back end of the bullpen.

— With files from The Associated Press