Camilo Doval is back with the San Francisco Giants, just in time for a reunion with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Giants claimed the former All-Star closer off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday, bringing Doval back to the organization where he made his MLB debut. The move comes ahead of the Giants’ season-ending series against the Dodgers at Oracle Park.
San Francisco cleared a spot for Doval by transferring rookie right-hander Blade Tidwell to the 60-day injured list. Tidwell has a right elbow sprain and was recommended to undergo surgery to repair a torn UCL, which is expected to sideline him through the 2027 season.
Doval spent his first five MLB seasons with the Giants and earned his first All-Star selection in 2023 after posting a 2.93 ERA and leading the National League with 39 saves. San Francisco traded him to the New York Yankees at the 2025 trade deadline.
His return comes after a difficult 2026 season. Doval posted a 4.54 ERA in 44 appearances for the Yankees before being traded to Pittsburgh on Aug. 1. He then recorded a 3.79 ERA in 20 appearances for the Pirates before being designated for assignment this week.
Doval now gets a chance to finish the season where his career began. The Giants have already been eliminated from postseason contention, but the final series gives the 29-year-old an immediate opportunity to pitch against one of baseball’s biggest rivals.
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If Doval appears this weekend, he will become the 71st player to suit up for San Francisco this season, tying the Major League record set by the 2025 Atlanta Braves.
The Giants will also have an important decision to make this offseason. Doval remains under club control through 2027, giving San Francisco a chance to evaluate whether the former All-Star can regain a meaningful bullpen role beyond this weekend.
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