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SAN FRANCISCO — The Yankees’ bullpen additions from last year’s trade deadline have notably improved their performance this season, showing marked progress compared to their efforts in 2025.
Camilo Doval has impressed with his sharpness in the opening games, bouncing back from a challenging period in The Bronx. Meanwhile, Jake Bird has emerged as a transformed pitcher.
During Saturday’s 3-1 victory, Bird delivered five crucial outs, clinching a series sweep against the Giants at Oracle Park.
Prior to this game, Bird hadn’t contributed a scoreless inning in a win since June 29.
This was partly due to the Rockies’ struggles during his tenure there, compounded by his subpar performance in his final weeks with Colorado and a brief stint with the Yankees before being reassigned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
“It’s good to have a fresh start,’’ Bird said.
He needed one.
Aaron Boone said throughout the spring that if Bird had his command, he would be a weapon for the Yankees.
Against the Giants, he entered in the bottom of the sixth with the Yankees up by a pair of runs.
Brent Headrick had just allowed a leadoff double to Rafael Devers.
Bird gave up a single to Heliot Ramos to send Devers to third.
But Bird recovered to strike out Willy Adames and then got Harrison Bader to ground into an inning-ending double play to preserve the lead.
The right-hander came back out to start the seventh, getting Patrick Bailey to pop out to shortstop and striking out Casey Schmitt before Boone turned to Tim Hill to finish the inning.
Boone called Bird’s escape job “awesome.”
“He finished spring training strong and both of his outings [in the regular season] have been really sharp,’’ the manager said.
With Doval unavailable, Boone said the pen had to “piece it together” after Will Warren pitched well, but was done after 4 ¹/₃ innings.
The potential emergence of Bird in the bullpen would be huge for a team that lost Devin Williams and Luke Weaver in free agency — and is relying on Bird and Doval, among others, to pitch to their potential.
Doval clearly struggled to adjust to a new role when the closer was asked to pitch in lower-leverage innings last year.
Bird was in the midst of a horrific stretch to end his time with the Rockies when the Yankees acquired him.
He allowed 18 earned runs in 9 ²/₃ innings in his final 12 appearances and gave up six runs over two innings in three outings with the Yankees before he was optioned.
The Yankees were intrigued by Bird’s ability to strike out batters — if they could get him to reduce his walks.
His first two outings of 2026 have been promising, with three strikeouts and no walks — and with Boone not afraid to use Bird in an important spot.
“To get him going through a whole season would be electric,’’ Aaron Judge said.