The Pittsburgh Pirates are bolstering their bullpen amid the club’s battle to finish above .500 for the first time in eight seasons.<\/p>\n
The Pirates are acquiring relief pitcher Camilo Doval from the New York Yankees in exchange for two prospects, ESPN’s Jeff Passan<\/a> reported Saturday.<\/p>\n The prospects involved in the deal are Omar Alfonzo and Luis Cruz, according to Francys Romero and the New York Post’s Jon Heyman<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal<\/a> reported the trade is pending medical review. The MLB trade window closes Monday at 6 p.m. ET.<\/p>\n Alfonzo, ranked No. 17 in the Pirates system by MLB Pipeline<\/a>, most recently played as a catcher for the Double-A Altoona Curve. Cruz has been playing outfield in the Dominican Summer League. <\/p>\n Doval is signed through 2026 and remains under team control through 2027, per Spotrac<\/a>.<\/p>\n Acquired<\/a> by the Yankees in a trade with the San Francisco Giants last July, Doval has so far not been able to replicate the efficiency that saw him post a 2.93 ERA and earn an All-Star nod in 2023.<\/p>\n The 29-year-old has posted a 4.54 ERA in 44 appearances, most recently allowing 12 runs (four earned) in eight innings pitched during the month of July.<\/p>\n The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty reported Saturday the Yankees pitching staff was working with Doval and “trying to get him on track” as recently as days before the trade.<\/p>\n Doval has overall performed best against right-handed batters, holding them to a .143 batting average as opposed to the .360 BA he’s allowed against southpaws.<\/p>\n The Bucs will hope to build on that while adding depth to a bullpen that has so far been one of the least effective in baseball this season. Pirates relievers ranked<\/a> 23rd in MLB with a combined 4.38 ERA heading into the deadline.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh started out their push to buy at the deadline by acquiring<\/a> left-hander Brandon Eisert, who has since been assigned to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indiana, from the Chicago White Sox. <\/p>\n