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Pirates' Dennis Santana: Ugly showing in extra-inning loss
Rotowire
Santana (2-3) allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits without recording an out to take the loss Friday against the Phillies.
Santana worked the 10th inning, following Gregory Soto, who blew a three-run lead one frame prior. Santana allowed a leadoff double and three consecutive singles before being pulled, and he's now allowed multiple earned runs in three of his last seven appearances. He also hasn't logged a save since April 15 and isn't likely to see many chances in the near future given his current form.
Santana threw a scoreless seventh inning while walking one to earn a hold Thursday against the Diamondbacks.
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.
Pirates' Dennis Santana: Collapses in loss, blown save
Rotowire
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.
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.
Pirates' Dennis Santana: Works ninth inning in win
Rotowire
Santana allowed one hit and one walk while striking out one in the ninth inning in Friday's win over the Rays.
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.
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Pirates' Gregory Soto: Being used in setup role
Rotowire
Soto didn't allow a baserunner across one inning to earn a hold Friday against the Rays.
Soto entered the game in the eighth inning with the Pirates up by two runs. He's remained very sharp all season, allowing only one earned run across 10.2 innings while maintaining a 15:5 K:BB. However, Soto has now pitched in the seventh or eighth inning in five consecutive appearances, suggesting Dennis Santana is the primary option for saves at this point.
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Pirates' Dennis Santana: Shuts door for second save
Rotowire
Santana picked up the save Wednesday against the Nationals, hitting a batter but allowing no other baserunners in a scoreless ninth inning. He did not record a strikeout
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.
Pirates' Dennis Santana: Blows first save of season
Rotowire
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 out a batter.
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.
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Pirates' Dennis Santana: Notches first save of season
Rotowire
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.
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 in 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.
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.
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 ninth-inning save of the season Friday. Santana has given up just one hit with a 4:2 K:BB through six appearances this year, 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.
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Player Bio
HT/WT: 6-2, 190 lbs
Birthplace: San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic
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