CINCINNATI -- Two days before Monday’s MLB Trade Deadline, the Pirates made the first of what could be several moves to address the bullpen and other key areas for the stretch run, acquiring right-hander reliever Camilo Doval for a pair of prospects on Saturday.
Those two are catcher Omar Alfonzo and outfielder Luis Cruz, while the addition of Doval addresses Pittsburgh's biggest need: right-handed, late-inning relief help.
Doval has done it -- and at a high level, making the All-Star Game when tied for the National League lead with 39 saves in 2023.
In 44 appearances with New York this season, Doval has gone 3-1 with a 4.54 ERA, walking 18 and striking out 39.
"Great to add his power stuff and experience to the 'pen," Pirates manager Don Kelly said at Great American Ball Park before game three the Pirates’ series against the Reds. "He's closed games in the past, pitched some meaningful innings for New York and has had experience in the back end of the pen that'll be big."
Doval, 29, pitched for the Giants during the first 4 1/2 seasons of his career. From 2022-25, he amassed 105 saves while striking out 317 batters over 259 2/3 innings.
He primarily throws three pitches: a sinker, cutter and slider, with the first of those ranking in the 96th percentile with velocity at 98.6 mph. Opponents are hitting .233 and slugging .342 against Doval's sinker this season.
Doval has also had success throwing a cutter, though that pitch -- which averages 98.8 mph in 2026 -- has been a weakness this season, netting a .344 batting average and .406 slugging percentage against.
The Pirates like Doval for several reasons, including his experience pitching late in games and high-leverage innings. But there are also some tweaks they feel like can make with his mechanics and pitch mix.
If that happens, along with a change of scenery and a more defined role, the Pirates believe Doval can reach another level of performance.
"It's early," Kelly said. "We'll work through that when he gets here and figure it out. But just I think the heartbeat that he's shown in the back end of the ‘pen can be really valuable this time of year."
Saying goodbye to Yankee Stadium could also help.
Doval this season has a 7.08 ERA and has allowed five home runs in 20 1/3 innings at home, the left-handed hitters he has faced taking advantage of the short porch in right.
On the road, Doval has a 1.86 ERA with just one home run allowed in 19 1/3 innings.
When Doval has had success, he has missed bats with his slider while regularly keeping the ball on the ground. He has a 57.3% ground-ball rate in 2026. It topped out at 60% in 2024.
"Breaking ball can be really good," Kelly said. "The velo is good. The movement on it can be really good. And I think that again, talking about that experience, this time of year, to add somebody that has pitched in the back end, that’s a really big addition."
Doval appeared in 22 games with the Yankees last season and had a 4.82 ERA with a 1.61 WHIP. This year, he has primarily served as the bridge to former Pirates closer David Bednar.
Alfonzo, ranked No. 17 by MLB Pipeline, is a catcher and first baseman who’s been primarily at Double-A Altoona in 2026. He’s hitting .239 with a .757 OPS in 60 games. Across two levels in 2025, Alfonzo hit .243 with a .750 OPS that included 18 doubles, a triple and 14 home runs.
Cruz is an 18-year-old outfielder who’s been playing for Pirates Gold in the Dominican Summer League. He’s hitting .318 with an .838 OPS in 16 games this season.
Doval has roughly $1.8 million remaining on his $6.1 million contract this season. The Yankees are sending the Pirates around $1.1 million in cash, meaning their cost is just $750,000 for the rest of this season. Doval is in his second year of arbitration.
Given the affordable cost, Doval fits into what the Pirates hope will be a larger portfolio of moves. The bullpen is obviously their biggest weakness, along with right-handed bats and perhaps a starting pitcher to add depth.
"It's great, and [Friday] was a tough day, not just with us losing but also losing Ryan [O'Hearn to a left quad strain for 6-8 weeks].
“Hopefully this shows the belief that we still have in the team to go out and compete and to add somebody to the back end of the bullpen."
Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH on X.