San Francisco just added reliever Camilo Doval back to the squad, claimed off waivers from the Pirates. This move isn’t just a fun reunion with a former All-Star closer; it means the Giants are on the brink of making some wild MLB history. If Doval gets into one of the team’s final three games, he’ll be the 71st player they’ve used this year, tying the all-time big-league record. Seriously, 71 players. What a season.
Doval’s Tumultuous Tour and What It Means
Doval, at 29, has been on a journey this year. The Giants actually traded him last year to the Yankees for a package deal that included utility player Jesús Rodríguez, right-hander Trystan Vrieling, third baseman Parks Harber, and left-hander Carlos De La Rosa. Then, New York shipped him off to the Pirates for two minor leaguers on August 1. With the Pirates, Doval pitched 19 innings over 20 appearances, putting up a 3.79 ERA and opponents hitting .271 against him. Earlier this year with the Yankees, he struggled to a 4.54 ERA in 44 outings. His main problem? Left-handed hitters, who are batting .322 against him.
It’s a far cry from his glory days with San Francisco, where he spent his first four-plus seasons, including an awesome 2023 with 39 saves and 87 strikeouts in 67⅔ innings. He’s had only six save opportunities all season this year and just one save. The Giants moved Blade Tidwell, who was just diagnosed with a high-grade UCL sprain, to the 60-day IL to make room for Doval on the 40-man roster. With him being arbitration-eligible, the team could totally keep him for next year if he shows something in these last few games. Talk about an audition!
Roster Carousel Spinning Out of Control?
Here’s where it gets even crazier: Doval might not be the last new face on the field. Catcher Zach Morgan is on the taxi squad, and manager Tony Vitello is absolutely pushing to get him into a game before the season wraps. If both Doval *and* Morgan see action, San Francisco wouldn’t just tie the record, they’d hold it alone at 72 players used. The current record holder is Atlanta, who used 71 players in 2025. Vitello wasn’t joking when he said, “There’s been a lot…ours has been unique in a lot of different ways. That’s a crazy scenario.” He even added, with a laugh, “I guess you know, being first year in the organization, you’d like to get to meet everybody, so this is one way to do it.”
The roster churn isn’t slowing down either. Infielder Osleivis Basabe is potentially heading to the IL with a leg injury, and outfielder Bo Davidson left Wednesday’s game after fouling a ball off his leg again, the same spot that cost him a week earlier this month. Vitello is clear on Morgan’s chances, stating, “Come hell or high water, I’d like to get him on that field and give him an opportunity to do something.” This team has 17 men on the 60-day IL. Seventeen! All of those guys need to be put back on the 40-man roster after the season, which means the front office has some insane decisions to make. These last few games are huge for anyone trying to show they belong.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply