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SF Giants officially have a new closer after Camilo Doval trade to Yankees

He is the most logical candidate candidate to handle 9th inning duties.
ByNick San Miguel|
Jun 4, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Randy Rodriguez (73) and catcher Patrick Bailey (14) celebrate their win over the San Diego Padres at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
Jun 4, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Randy Rodriguez (73) and catcher Patrick Bailey (14) celebrate their win over the San Diego Padres at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images | Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

After the SF Giants traded their closer Camilo Doval to the New York Yankees ahead of the trade deadline, they were left closer-less. However, it is now official that All-Star Randy Rodríguez will handle 9th inning duties for the Giants going forward.

This news comes via Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle on social media:

SF Giants officially name Randy Rodríguez as their new closer after Doval trade

The news does not come as a huge shock because Rodríguez is the best remaining reliever the Giants have after the team traded away not only Doval, but Tyler Rogers as well.

Rodríguez has been phenomenal this season. In 44 appearances he has a 1.20 ERA with 62 strikeouts and just nine walks with a 0.84 WHIP. He made it to the All-Star Game which is impressive because it is rare for a reliever who is not a closer to earn an All-Star nod. That is how good he has been.

It will be interesting to see how he fares shifting into the closer role. He has one save in three opportunities this year and blew two saves in two opportunities during his rookie season in 2024.

That is obviously a small sample size, but it can be a tough transition for a reliever to go from being a set-up man to being the guy relied upon to shut the game down in the 9th. It may be an adjustment at first as he deals with that shift in adrenaline, but he clearly has the raw stuff to be a closer with a high-velocity fastball and great slider.

He definitely has a chance to earn the closer role for next season depending on how he performs these next few months. As of right now he has to be the favorite for the role for 2026.

How the rest of the bullpen shakes out will be fascinating as well. Ryan Walker was the team's closer to begin the year but his struggles led to him being replaced by Doval. Walker figures to be the team's eighth inning man for now.

Other arms like Spencer Bivens, Matt Gage, and Joey Lucchesi figure to see increased responsibilities as well. The rest of this season could determine how the bullpen will look at the start of next season.

The bullpen looks a lot different after the trade deadline, so we will see if their relievers can step up and continue to perform well.

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