Yankees Struggle with Acquired Reliever Camilo Doval’s Inconsistent Performance

Since being traded from the San Francisco Giants to the New York Yankees on July 31, 2025, Camilo Doval has struggled significantly, posting a 7.36 ERA over 7 1/3 innings and allowing nine earned runs in nine games. Despite his elite pitching talent, including an electric fastball and slider that once made him an All-Star closer, Doval has been plagued by control issues, mental mistakes such as balks and pitch clock violations, and difficulty adjusting to his new role, which has frustrated Yankees fans and commentators alike. Yankees manager Aaron Boone has defended Doval's raw ability but emphasized the need for improved strike-throwing to reach the next level of effectiveness. Meanwhile, the Yankees have had more success with recent bullpen acquisition David Bednar, who has recorded three saves and posted multiple scoreless outings. The trade, which also involved four minor league prospects going to the Giants, was intended to bolster New York’s postseason bullpen, but so far Doval’s inconsistency has been a notable weakness amid the team’s efforts to maintain a competitive edge in the AL East. Overall, the Yankees appear to be still searching for the consistency that Doval showed in earlier seasons with San Francisco, as they navigate a critical stretch in the season.