The New York Yankees have bolstered their bullpen at the trade deadline, but early returns remain a mixed bag as Camilo Doval navigates a new role in New York. Doval, who spoke through an interpreter after Thursday night’s loss, said he’s still adjusting to the responsibilities and anticipates needing to prepare earlier and get ready sooner for outings. Manager Aaron Boone echoed the sentiment, noting that while Doval has elite stuff, he must become more repeatable with his command—something he’s yet to show in nine appearances with the Yankees.
The team’s front office took a proactive approach to fortify the bullpen, but the results so far underscore how challenging it can be to integrate fresh legs into a late-inning structure. Doval’s early work has highlighted the gap between velocity and control, and expectations remain that his experience with elite late-inning arms will eventually translate into more consistent appearances down the stretch.
Amid the emphasis on bullpen improvements, an outlook check from MLB’s Will Leitch suggests the schedule could tilt in the Yankees’ favor in the final month. The team’s remaining slate is set to test them against a mix of divisional and cross-league opponents, with a particularly favorable run of 13 games that includes series against the Twins, Orioles, and White Sox. By contrast, other contenders such as the Red Sox face tougher looks, with key series against Toronto and Detroit and a memorable date with the A’s, who have shown resilience since a midseason shakeup.
On the offensive side, the team has benefited from Giancarlo Stanton stepping up as a pinch-hitter, a role that has brought him a surprising volume of production this year. With Aaron Judge largely limited to designated-hitter duties, Stanton has delivered in high-leverage moments, including a recent dramatic extra-inning performance after late-inning opportunities arose. His ability to swing for power off the bench has provided a valuable balance to a lineup that has leaned on timely hits in late innings.
The action on the field wasn’t limited to just the diamond’s lines. A moment of levity punctuated the Yankees’ evening as a squirrel briefly interrupted play at Yankee Stadium during Max Fried’s start against the Red Sox, pausing the game momentarily before the furred intruder found its way to safety.
Looking ahead, the Yankees’ combination of bullpen reinforcements, a more comfortable role for Doval as he settles in, and a favorable late-season schedule could help them close strong. Stanton’s pinch-hitting prowess adds another layer of depth, and if Judge remains limited to DH duties, the rest of the lineup will need to continue producing in high-leverage spots. The coming weeks will be telling as the team weighs whether the midseason additions begin to bear fruit in late-inning leverage and critical wins.
What to watch next
– How quickly Doval locks in a consistent strike-throwing profile in high-leverage innings.
– The bullpen’s effectiveness in the upcoming stretch against stronger lineups.
– Stanton’s continued impact as a pinch-hitter with Judge occupying the DH spot.
– The Yankees’ ability to capitalize on the softer portions of their schedule and finish strong down the stretch.
Summary: The Yankees have wired up their bullpen at the deadline and are navigating the early bumps as Doval adapts to a new role, while a favorable late-season schedule and Stanton’s pinch-hitting success offer hopeful signs for converting standings pressure into wins. A continued balance of bullpen development, timely offense, and strategic use of Judge at DH will shape their playoff hopes in the final weeks.