When the New York Yankees swung a blockbuster trade to acquire Camilo Doval from the San Francisco Giants at this year’s deadline, expectations soared. The hard-throwing right-hander, a former All-Star and National League saves leader, was seen as the missing piece to solidify the Yankees’ shaky bullpen. With a sparkling 3.09 ERA and 15 saves for the Giants in 2025, Doval seemed poised to dominate in pinstripes. But the reality has been a far cry from the hype, and Yankees GM Brian Cashman isn’t mincing words about the reliever’s struggles.
Since joining the Yankees, Doval’s performance has been nothing short of a nightmare. Entering Saturday, his ERA with New York ballooned to a grim 6.59, a stark contrast to his career 3.29 ERA across 275 games with the Giants. The 28-year-old, once a lockdown closer who led the NL in saves two seasons ago, has been anything but reliable in the Bronx. “Someone who’s trying to find himself here in a new environment,” Cashman told the New York Post’s Greg Joyce. “But he’s struggled.” The message, though measured, carries a chilling undertone: Doval needs to turn things around—fast.
The Yankees had banked on Doval being a high-leverage weapon to shore up their bullpen for a postseason push. Instead, his rocky transition has left fans and management scratching their heads. Is it a mechanical glitch? A mental block from adjusting to the pressure-cooker environment of New York? Or simply a rough patch for a pitcher with a proven track record? Whatever the cause, the Yankees are desperate for answers as the regular season winds down.
Despite his current woes, Doval’s resume offers hope. With a 2.45 ERA and a save in three postseason appearances, he’s shown he can handle the October spotlight. His club control through 2027 gives the Yankees time to unlock the elite reliever they know he can be. But time is a luxury New York doesn’t have in the immediate future. With the playoffs looming, the team needs Doval to rediscover his All-Star form—or at least stabilize—to bolster their late-inning plans.
The road ahead won’t be easy. Doval’s struggles have exposed vulnerabilities in a bullpen that was already a question mark. Yet, the Yankees have no choice but to keep faith in their prized acquisition. Whether it’s tweaking his mechanics, helping him adjust to the new environment, or simply riding out the storm, the organization is all-in on getting the best out of Doval. As the postseason nears, all eyes will be on whether he can silence the doubters and deliver when it matters most.