SAN FRANCISCO — Camilo Doval was likely removed from the closer role, at least temporarily, after Thursday’s game in Washington, D.C. The Giants removed him from the entire active roster on Friday.
Doval was sent to Triple-A Sacramento in a neat move with a relief pitcher who was an All-Star last year and has been the team’s primary closer since the final week of the 2021 season. Doval led the National League in saves last year and has 22 this season, but many of his appearances have been shaky and his lack of control in recent outings has put manager Bob Melvin in a tough spot.
Doval, who has five saves this season, heads to Sacramento with a career-worst 4.70 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in 44 innings across 46 games this year.
After striking out three batters on Monday, Doval loaded the bases on Wednesday before getting a double play to end the game. On Thursday, he walked two and hit a three-run homer to send the game into extra innings. Both times, Melvin had to bring in a different reliever, as he has often done with Doval in recent weeks, and during one tough outing, he was actually replaced by Ryan Walker.
The Giants may see this as an opportunity to hone Doval’s control, but it’s unusual for them to demote a closer to the minor leagues rather than relegating him to another role, and there seems to be something else going on: Doval has frustrated manager Gabe Kapler with his lack of attention to detail, and Melvin seems fed up with him.
Walker has been the team’s best reliever this season and appears to be the favorite to pitch the ninth inning. Jordan Hicks also has closer experience and his velocity has returned to the high 90s since the Giants moved him back into the bullpen.
In addition to optioning Doval, the Giants also sent catcher Jackson Reetz to Sacramento, veteran catcher Curt Casali was activated from the paternity list and right-hander Landen Loup was recalled from Triple-A.
Download and follow the Giants Talk podcast