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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.
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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.
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Pirates' Dennis Santana: Picks up second win
Rotowire
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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Pirates' Dennis Santana: Works eighth inning again
Rotowire
Santana struck out one without allowing a baserunner in a scoreless eighth inning to earn a hold Friday against the Orioles.
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 baserunners -- it appears that Soto is the preferred option for saves for the time being.
Santana allowed one walk but no hits across one scoreless inning in Saturday's game against the Rockies.
Santana has pitched in both of Pittsburgh's 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 shortly before the new season began that Santana may not get every save chance, though Santana's clearly still a high-leverage arm for the Pirates and should work in plenty of save situations.
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Pirates' Dennis Santana: Will not be full-time closer
Rotowire
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.
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.
Pirates' Dennis Santana: Reaches deal with Pirates
Rotowire
The Pirates and Santana avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.5 million contract Thursday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
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.
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Pirates' Dennis Santana: Earns 16th save
Rotowire
Santana earned the save in Saturday's 3-1 win over Atlanta, allowing one hit and no walks with two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.
Santana was called upon to protect a two-run lead in the ninth and did so on 19 pitches. The 29-year-old has bounced back from a blown save Wednesday with back-to-back scoreless outings and has now held opponents off the board in 10 of his past 11 appearances. For the season, he's 16-for-19 in save chances with a 2.18 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 60:17 K:BB across 70.1 innings.
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Pirates' Dennis Santana: Blows third save
Rotowire
Santana gave up a run on two hits in 1.1 innings Wednesday to blow his third save of the season in a 4-3 extra-innings win over the Reds. He struck out two without walking a batter.
The right-hander got taken deep by Tyler Stephenson in the ninth inning to tie the game at 2-2, only for the Pirates to pull out the win in the 11th. Santana may not have a classic closer's arsenal, averaging 94.8 mph on his fastball, but he's been very effective this year in a high-leverage role, recording four wins, 15 saves and 12 holds with a 2.24 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 58:17 K:BB through 68.1 innings.
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Pirates' Dennis Santana: Notches 15th save
Rotowire
Santana allowed a walk in a scoreless inning Tuesday while earning a save over the Reds. He struck out one batter.
Santana forced a game-ending double play after issuing a one-out walk to Elly De La Cruz. It was Santana's 15th save in 17 chances, and he's now converted nine straight dating back to early August. During that stretch, he's produced a stellar 1.00 ERA over 18 frames. Santana now owns a 2.15 ERA with a 56:17 K:BB through 67 innings for the year.
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Pirates' Dennis Santana: Converts 14th save
Rotowire
Santana earned the save in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Athletics, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.
Santana was tasked with preserving a team shutout and needed just 10 pitches to close it out. The 29-year-old has now converted eight straight saves dating back to Aug. 8 while allowing only two earned runs over 17 appearances in that span. For the season, he's 14-for-16 in save chances with a 2.18 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 55:16 K:BB across 66 innings.
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Player Bio
HT/WT: 6-2, 190 lbs
Birthplace: San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic
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