The Pittsburgh Pirates have made another notable roster move just before opening their series against the St. Louis Cardinals, designating veteran right-handed reliever Camilo Doval for assignment.
The move comes as Pittsburgh prepares to face the Cardinals at PNC Park, with the Pirates making a corresponding change to their bullpen by activating veteran right-hander Kirby Yates from the injured list.
Doval’s departure is particularly notable because the 2026 season marked his sixth year in Major League Baseball. The right-hander entered the Pirates’ organization at the trade deadline after being acquired from the New York Yankees in exchange for prospects Omar Alfonzo and Luis Cruz. Just weeks later, Pittsburgh has now designated him for assignment.
The decision represents a significant change for a pitcher who entered the season with considerable experience at the back end of a major league bullpen.
Pirates Make Major Bullpen Change
The Pirates announced the move Tuesday, with Yates being reinstated from the 15-day injured list and Doval being designated for assignment.
MLB reported that Doval was acquired by Pittsburgh from the Yankees before the trade deadline. He arrived with a significant résumé, including an All-Star selection and experience as a National League saves leader during his time with the San Francisco Giants.
Rather than continuing with Doval in the bullpen, Pittsburgh opted to make room for Yates, another veteran reliever with extensive major league experience.
Reuters described the move as Pittsburgh essentially swapping one former All-Star closer for another, with Yates returning from the injured list while Doval was removed from the active roster.
The timing is also noteworthy because the Pirates are beginning a three-game series against St. Louis. The roster decision therefore gives the team a different look in its bullpen heading into an important stretch of the season.
Why Doval’s Move Stands Out
Doval is not an inexperienced pitcher who was simply fighting for a first opportunity in the majors. He has already spent years pitching at the highest level and has handled significant responsibilities in late-game situations.
His career includes time with the San Francisco Giants and Yankees before arriving in Pittsburgh. His previous success made the Pirates’ decision to designate him for assignment more notable.
However, a player’s reputation and previous accomplishments do not guarantee a permanent place on a major league roster. Teams regularly make difficult decisions when balancing performance, roster construction, injuries and the need to create opportunities for other players.
For Pittsburgh, the immediate priority appears to be adjusting the bullpen as the team enters the Cardinals series.
The Pirates acquired Doval with the expectation that his experience could strengthen their relief corps. Instead, the organization has now moved in another direction before the season reaches its conclusion.
Kirby Yates Returns
The other half of the transaction is just as important.
Kirby Yates has been activated from the injured list, giving Pittsburgh another experienced arm for its bullpen. Yates had been dealing with a right shoulder issue and was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier in September.
His return provides Pittsburgh with a pitcher who has extensive experience in high-leverage situations.
Yates has built a long major league career and has previously served as a closer, making his availability potentially important as the Pirates manage their pitching staff down the stretch.
The Pirates therefore chose to replace Doval’s roster spot with a veteran who already has a substantial history of pitching in pressure situations.
That does not necessarily mean the organization has completely moved away from Doval. Designation for assignment begins a roster process that can lead to several possible outcomes, including a trade, waiver claim or assignment to the minor leagues if the player clears waivers and the necessary conditions are met.
For now, however, Doval is no longer occupying a spot on Pittsburgh’s active roster.
A Complicated Season for the Pirates
The roster move also fits into a larger pattern of adjustments for Pittsburgh throughout the 2026 season.
The Pirates have made several changes to their pitching staff as they have dealt with injuries, performance issues and roster needs.
Earlier in the season, Pittsburgh also made a significant bullpen decision involving Dennis Santana. The Pirates designated Santana for assignment in July while acquiring Ron Marinaccio from the San Diego Padres. At the time, manager Don Kelly praised Santana’s contributions to the organization while acknowledging his struggles during the 2026 campaign.
The Doval decision is another example of how quickly the composition of a bullpen can change during a major league season.
Veteran pitchers can move from being important additions to being removed from the roster in a relatively short period when circumstances change.
What This Means Before the Cardinals Series
The immediate focus now shifts toward the Cardinals.
Pittsburgh is scheduled to host St. Louis in a three-game series, and the Pirates will enter that matchup with Yates back in the bullpen and Doval no longer part of the active roster.
That gives manager Don Kelly another experienced option to deploy in relief.
The exact role Yates will have following his return remains something to watch. Coming off the injured list, his workload could be managed carefully, particularly if the Pirates want to make sure he is physically ready for regular high-leverage work.
Meanwhile, Doval’s situation will be monitored around the league as the designation-for-assignment process unfolds.
Because he has major league experience and a history that includes an All-Star selection, there could be interest from organizations looking for additional bullpen depth. What happens next will depend on the waiver process and whether another team becomes involved.
The Bigger Picture
The Pirates’ decision highlights the unpredictable nature of Major League Baseball roster management.
Doval was acquired by Pittsburgh at the trade deadline with the potential to help the bullpen, but his tenure with the organization has now reached an uncertain point only weeks later.
At the same time, Yates is returning at a moment when Pittsburgh needs experienced pitching.
The move therefore combines two very different developments: one veteran is being removed from the roster while another is coming back from injury.
For Pirates fans, the biggest question now is whether Yates can provide stability during the final stretch of the season and whether the club’s latest bullpen adjustment will produce the results Pittsburgh is looking for.
For Doval, the next few days could determine where his major league career goes from here.
The Pirates have made their decision for now. Doval has been designated for assignment, Yates is back, and Pittsburgh is moving forward with a different bullpen configuration as the Cardinals arrive at PNC Park.
The roster change may have come shortly before the Cardinals series, but its implications extend beyond one matchup. It is another reminder that, even for experienced MLB players, roster security can change quickly as teams approach the final weeks of a long season.
