Dennis Santana - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Works seventh inning Santana threw a scoreless seventh inning while walking one to earn a hold Thursday against the Diamondbacks.

Impact Santana blew a save and allowed four earned runs on April 27 and has not gotten a save chance in three appearances since. Meanwhile, Gregory Soto has earned two saves in that span, both of which have come in Pittsburgh's last two games. While the closer situation has been fluid between Soto and Santana early on this season, Santana has allowed at least one run in four of his last 10 appearances and has only a 5.4 K/9 across 16.2 innings on the campaign.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Collapses in loss, blown save Santana (2-2) was charged with the loss and a blown save Monday against the Cardinals, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning.

Impact Brought on to protect a 2-0 lead in the ninth inning, Santana served up a pair of home runs Monday en route to coughing up a season-high four runs. The right-hander has converted just two of his four save chances so far, but he still has a quality 3.29 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 13.2 innings in spite of Monday's meltdown. That said, the door is open for Gregory Soto to claim more ninth-inning work in Pittsburgh's closer committee.

APRIL 28 • ROTOWIRE

Cards get consecutive HRs, 2-run double in 9th and top Pirates 4-2 after being no-hit into 7th

Jose Fermin hit a tiebreaking two-run double after Pedro Pages and JJ Wetherholt hit consecutive homers — all in the ninth inning — as the St. Louis Cardinals rallied to beat the P...

APRIL 28 • Associated Press

Reynolds, Gonzales help the Pirates outlast the Brewers, 6-3 in 10 innings

Bryan Reynolds had a go-ahead single in the 10th, Nick Gonzales followed with a two-run single and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Milwaukee Brewers 6-3 on Saturday night

APRIL 26 • Associated Press

Oneil Cruz's 3-run homer off top of foul pole powers Pirates to 8-4 win over Rangers

Oneil Cruz had the hardest-hit homer in the majors this season, a three-run shot off the top of the right-field foul pole in the ninth inning that powered the Pittsburgh Pirates to...

APRIL 23 • Associated Press

Works ninth inning in win Santana allowed one hit and one walk while striking out one in the ninth inning in Friday's win over the Rays.

Impact The Pirates were up by two runs at the start of the eighth inning but tacked on two runs in the home half of the frame. That meant Santana didn't work in a save situation, though he's now pitched the ninth inning or 10th inning in six consecutive appearances -- five of which were to end the game. Santana looks to be the Pirates' preferred closing option for the time being, though Gregory Soto will likely mix in occasionally.

APRIL 18 • ROTOWIRE

Cruz hits 2-run HR, Chandler gives up 1 run in 6 innings, Pirates beat Rays 5-1

Oneil Cruz hit a two-run home run, Brandon Lowe went 3 for 5 with two doubles and two RBIs, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat Tampa Bay 5-1 to snap the Ray’s six-game win streak

APRIL 18 • Associated Press

James Wood singles to score automatic runner in the 10th, Nationals beat Pirates 8-7

James Wood singled to score automatic runner Jorbit Vivas in the 10th inning and the Washington Nationals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-7

APRIL 16 • Associated Press

Shuts door for second save Santana picked up the save Wednesday against the Nationals, throwing a clean ninth inning.

Impact After it looked as though left-hander Gregory Soto was Pittsburgh's preferred closer earlier this year, Santana might be taking back over as the club's favorite for saves. The right-hander sports a 1.00 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and 6:4 K:BB with two saves over his first nine innings, though he did blow a save Saturday against the Cubs. Soto has four holds to one save chance, whereas Santana has two holds to his three save opportunities.

APRIL 16 • ROTOWIRE

Carmen Mlodzinski tosses 6 dominant innings as the Pirates top the Nationals 2-0

Carmen Mlodzinski allowed two hits over a career-high six innings as the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the Washington Nationals 2-0

APRIL 16 • Associated Press

Blows first save of season Santana gave up one run on one hit and two walks in the ninth inning Saturday, blowing his first save of the season in a 4-3 extra-innings win over the Cubs. He failed to strike ou...

Impact One game after picking up his first save of 2026 on Friday, Santana took a step back, getting only 15 of 27 pitches into the strike zone as he gave up his first run of the year in his eighth appearance. Santana still sports a 1.13 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 6:4 K:BB through eight innings, compared to Gregory Soto's 1.04 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB through 8.2 innings, and the duo seem likely to continue splitting closing opportunities depending on matchups.

APRIL 12 • ROTOWIRE

Ramírez escapes bases-loaded jams in 10th, 11th innings, NL Central-leading Pirates beat Cubs 4-3

Yohan Ramírez escaped bases-loaded jams in the 10th and 11th innings, and the Pittsburgh Pirates took advantage of a throwing error by Caleb Thielbar to score the go-ahead run in a...

APRIL 11 • Associated Press

Notches first save of season Santana struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his first save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Cubs.

Impact The right-hander got Dansby Swanson and Michael Busch to chase sliders for third strikes as Santana converted his first save chance of the year. Gregory Soto worked the eighth and was less efficient, walking two batters without striking anyone out, and the closer battle for Pittsburgh seems to be tipping back in Santana's favor. He sports a 0.00 ERA through seven innings with two wins, two holds and a 6:2 K:BB.

APRIL 10 • ROTOWIRE

Bryan Reynolds homers as the Pittsburgh Pirates blank the Chicago Cubs 2-0

Bryan Reynolds hit a two-run homer and Carmen Mlodzinski pitched six-hit ball into the sixth inning, helping the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 2-0

APRIL 10 • Associated Press

Picks up second win Santana (2-0) earned the win in Saturday's 3-2 victory over the Orioles, striking out one while not allowing a baserunner during the ninth inning.

Impact The right-hander entered for the top of the ninth inning with the game tied 2-2, and he retired the side in order on 13 pitches (10 strikes). That set up Santana for the victory when the Pittsburgh offense came through with a walk-off in the bottom of the frame. The veteran reliever was expected to begin the season as Pittsburgh's primary closer, but it was Gregory Soto that picked up the club's first nine-inning save of the season Friday. Santana has given up just one hit with a 4:2 K:BB through six appearances this year, with him splitting those outings evenly between the eighth and ninth innings. He remains in the mix for saves and is clearly a trusted high-leverage arm, but Soto currently seems to be the favored closing option.

APRIL 5 • ROTOWIRE

Nick Yorke's walk-off single lifts the Pittsburgh Pirates past the Baltimore Orioles 3-2

Nick Yorke singled home Bryan Reynolds in the ninth inning to lift the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 3-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles

APRIL 4 • Associated Press

Works eighth inning again Santana struck out one without allowing a baserunner in a scoreless eighth inning to earn a hold Friday against the Orioles.

Impact Santana entered the game in the eighth inning for his second consecutive appearance, with Gregory Soto following him in the final frame on each occasion. While Santana is still in a high-leverage role and has performed well to begin 2026 -- he hasn't allowed a run across five innings while allowing only three baseunners -- it appears that Soto may be the preferred option for saves for the time being.

APRIL 4 • ROTOWIRE

O'Hearn and Davis help the Pirates hold off the Mets 4-3 in 10 innings for their 1st win

Ryan O’Hearn had three hits and two RBIs, including a go-ahead single in the 10th inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates threw out the potential tying run at the plate to hold off the...

MARCH 29 • Associated Press

Clean ninth inning Santana allowed one walk but no hits and no runs across 1.0 innings in Saturday's game against the Rockies.

Impact Santana has pitched in each of Pittsburgh's two games to begin 2026, and he has yet to allow an earned run. His usage Saturday was particularly notable, as he entered the game in the ninth inning with the score knotted at 0-0. Manager Don Kelly noted that Santana may not get every save chance shortly before the new campaign began, though he's clearly still a high-leverage arm for the Pirates and should work in plenty of save situations.

MARCH 29 • ROTOWIRE

Will not be full-time closer Pirates manager Don Kelly indicated Monday that Santana will not be the only reliever he uses for save opportunities, Jose Negron of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

Impact Santana notched 16 saves for Pittsburgh last season, with 10 of those coming in the final two months after David Bednar was traded. The 29-year-old is the heavy favorite to lead the Pirates in saves in 2026, but Kelly noted that he could use Santana earlier in games at times if the situation calls for it. Gregory Soto looks to be next in the pecking order and could be used to close when the opposition has lefty bats due up.

MARCH 23 • ROTOWIRE

David Bednar just gave Pirates fans bittersweet reminder at WBC It's easy to look at the Pittsburgh Pirates' bullpen and feel like something is missing. Dennis Santana is solid. Gregory Soto is one of the...

MARCH 16 • RUMBUNTER.COM

Pirates may have 2 hidden bullpen weapons ready to break out in 2026 Much of the Pittsburgh Pirates' bullpen has been unsettled. The club has two solid back-end options in Dennis Santana and Gregory Soto, but...

MARCH 15 • RUMBUNTER.COM

Bucs agree to deals with Cruz, 3 others to avoid arbitration (sources) The Pirates agreed to contracts for the 2026 season with Dennis Santana, Joey Bart, Oneil Cruz and Justin Lawrence Thursday, meaning they wi...

JANUARY 8 • MLB.COM

Reaches deal with Pirates The Pirates and Santana avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.5 million contract Thursday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Impact Santana finished the 2025 season with a 2.18 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 60:17 K:BB over 70.1 innings, picking up 16 saves along the way. The 29-year-old reliever is the favorite to open the 2026 season in the Pirates' closer role.

JANUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates acquire All-Star 2B Brandon Lowe in three-team trade involving the Rays and the Astros

The Pittsburgh Pirates have made a bold move by agreeing to acquire two-time All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe from Tampa Bay

DECEMBER 19, 2025 • Associated Press

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