Pirates agree trade for Yankees reliever Camilo Doval: report

The Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to acquire reliever Camilo Doval from the New York Yankees in a move aimed at strengthening their bullpen, according to ESPN.

ESPN reported that the Yankees will receive minor league catcher Omar Alfonzo and outfielder Luis Cruz, while also covering part of Doval's salary.

The 29-year-old right-hander was an MLB All-Star with the San Francisco Giants in 2023 before joining the Yankees at last season's trade deadline.

However, he struggled to find consistency in New York despite possessing one of baseball's most powerful arsenals, including a cutter that can reach 101 mph.

Accordign to ESPN, Doval posted a 4.54 ERA this season and allowed multiple hits or walks in 15 of his 44 appearances. He was eventually moved into a lower-leverage bullpen role.

The Pirates hope a change of scenery will help Doval return to the form he showed between 2021 and 2023, when he recorded a 2.77 ERA and established himself as one of the league's top closers.

Pittsburgh entered Saturday with a 55-56 record and remained in contention for a National League wild-card place.

While the club has benefited from a strong starting rotation led by reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes, its bullpen has been one of its weakest areas this season, making Doval a key addition for the team's play-off push.