As Pittsburgh cuts ties with Camilo Doval, the San Francisco Giants could bolster its struggling bullpen by reclaiming a familiar power arm to anchor their rebuilding roster.
The San Francisco Giants are entering a rebuild after trading several prominent players at the deadline, including Luis Arraez, Heliot Ramos and Robbie Ray.
That direction could create opportunities for familiar players to receive another chance if they address specific roster needs.
The bullpen is clearly one of those needs. San Francisco relievers have combined for a 4.18 ERA and only 30 saves this season.
Several young pitchers will compete for bullpen roles, but the Giants could benefit from adding an experienced reliever they can trust.
The return of a familiar face?
The Pittsburgh Pirates created a potential reunion opportunity Tuesday afternoon by designating former Giants closer Camilo Doval for assignment. Pittsburgh made the transaction to activate Kirby Yates from the Injured List.
Doval produced the best seasons of his career with San Francisco. From 2021 through 2025, he recorded a 3.29 ERA and 107 saves in 268 innings over 275 appearances before the Giants traded him to the New York Yankees.
Since leaving San Francisco, Doval has registered only two saves, both with New York, during stints with the Yankees and Pirates.
This season, Doval has a 4.30 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in 58.2 innings over 64 appearances between New York and Pittsburgh. He delivered some effective performances for the Pirates but did not pitch consistently enough for the organization to retain him.
According to Aiden Stepansky from MLB.com, Pirates manager Don Kelly said Doval produced several strong appearances and endured a few difficult ones.
Kelly praised his arsenal but indicated that Pittsburgh needed him to maximize his innings more consistently.
“He had some really good games and a couple tough ones,” Kelly said.
“He’s got some really good stuff, and ultimately, it really just came down to being able to maximize innings.”
Doval has not completely lost the ability that made him an All-Star in 2023, although he has not returned to that level since.
He appeared to find his rhythm during his first month with Pittsburgh, posting a 2.84 ERA and 1.56 WHIP in 12.2 innings over 13 appearances in August.
September brought different results. Doval recorded a 5.68 ERA and 2.30 WHIP in 6.1 innings across seven appearances.
Doval’s value
After Doval experienced life outside San Francisco and the Giants operated without him, a reunion could benefit both sides. Returning to an organization where he previously felt comfortable and confident might help him regain his effectiveness.
Doval can help San Francisco’s young relievers. He understands the pressure of protecting late leads and the short memory required after a difficult appearance.
His powerful arsenal remains capable of overwhelming hitters when his command and mechanics are synchronized. Doval can also mentor younger pitchers while remaining open to learning from them.
Under MLB’s designated-for-assignment rules, Pittsburgh has seven days to trade Doval or place him on outright or unconditional release waivers.
The Giants are having a difficult season and could emerge as a team to watch during the next few days as they evaluate whether their former closer fits their rebuilding bullpen.
