When the MLB trade deadline rolled around this season, the Philadelphia Phillies were bound and determined to upgrade their bullpen for the stretch run and postseason. They accomplished that, but one of the bullpen castoffs seems to have turned his season around after leaving Philadelphia.
Right-hander Seranthony Domínguez, traded on July 26 with Cristian Pache for outfielder Austin Hays, has had a resurgence in the Baltimore Orioles bullpen.
Traded former Phillies reliever Seranthony Domínguez dominating in the Orioles bullpen
After an up-and-down season with the Phillies, the 29-year-old Domínguez got to his new team and looks like a different pitcher. He has been so good for the Orioles that he recently took over the closing duties. Despite picking up one save for the Phillies this season, he was far away from that role in the Philadelphia bullpen.
He had an inauspicious Orioles debut, launching a fastball through the netting well over home plate at Camden Yards. Since then, it's been all roses for the righty.
After joining Baltimore, the Dominican had an uptick in velocity. He hit a season-high 99.6 mph with his four-seam fastball on Aug. 7 and two days later maxed out his sinker at a season-high 99.8 mph.
With another former Phillies reliever, Craig Kimbrel, struggling this year, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde has turned to Domínguez twice in the ninth inning over the past week. He locked down his back-to-back saves without allowing a hit, recording a walk and strikeout in each outing.
"I saw 99 and a slider," Hyde said after Domínguez's second save, per The Baltimore Banner's Kyle Goon. "So he's been pitching the end of the game here for a couple weeks until we get Craig going, but he's been doing a really good job for us since we got him at the deadline."
Through nine appearances in Bird Land, Domínguez has a 1.00 ERA and 0.78 WHIP and has allowed one run on four hits with 10 strikeouts and three walks. Compare that to his 4.75 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 36 innings with the Phillies.
After being an Oriole for a couple of weeks, Domínguez made it known that he would be comfortable going back to a closing role, according to Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner. He had 16 saves in his 2018 debut season with the Phillies and picked up 11 more between 2022 and 2024.
“I feel good in that role, if someday I go back to that role," Domínguez said, per Kostka. "I think I can do my job, because I know myself, I believe in myself and I can tell you, I’m happy to be here and happy to compete.”
He picked up his first Orioles save later that night.
With the Orioles sure to be in the postseason as one of the top AL teams, there's a chance the Phillies could see Domínguez in the fall if his current and former teams both make it to the World Series. If that comes to pass, we’ll have to wait and see if he's still closing in October.