One Year After Making Pirates’ Debut, Dennis Santana Reflects on Career Revival

It’s been one year since Dennis Santana put on a Pittsburgh Pirates’ uniform for the first time.

Santana was claimed off waivers from the New York Yankees last year on June 11 after he was designated for assignment. Two days later, Santana made his Pirates’ debut and retired both batters he faced against the Cardinals in St. Louis.

In his second appearance with the Pirates two days after that, Santana was charged with a career-high six earned runs against the Rockies at the notoriously hitter-friendly Coors Field. 

It looked as though Santana was just another typical waiver claim teams who need bullpen depth make in the middle of the season, but the 29-year-old has turned into so much more in Pittsburgh.

“It went from really, really bad to being so good,” Santana told Pittsburgh Baseball Now when asked what the last year has been like. “I don’t know. I can’t tell you exactly what it is, but I think life just takes you where you would want to be.”

After his clunker in Colorado, Santana finished the season by posting a 1.27 ERA across 37 games, a stretch that included 21-straight scoreless appearances Aug. 8 to Sep. 27. Only five relievers had a lower ERA to end the season.

Last season, Santana was part of a Pirates’ bullpen that also included veteran left-hander Aroldis Chapman.

The two formed a fast bond, and Santana credits the seven-time All-Star as part of the reason for his successful first year with the Pirates. 

“So far, I’m so grateful,” said on being with the Pirates. “First thing is I want to thank God for bringing me here. Second, the staff and Chapman for helping me out last year so I can be what I am today.”

Chapman reached free agency this offseason and signed a one-year contract with the Boston Red Sox.

Though they are no longer teammates, Santana and Chapman still have weekly facetime calls and exchange text messages. 

But even without Chapman, Santana has carried over his excellent showing from last season into 2025. 

In 29 games out of the bullpen for the Pirates this year, Santana is 1-1 with a 1.91 ERA and has recorded a career-high five saves.

Since making his Pirates’ debut, Santana is fifth among National League relief pitchers in ERA (2.23). Excluding his forgettable game in Colorado last season, and Santana is fourth among all Major League relief pitchers with a 1.52 ERA since June 16. 

The right-hander credits his pregame work as the key to his performance.

“I think for me, everything comes to my routine and the consistency of the routine and all that so I’m ready when I go to pitch. I do it so consistently so when I go to pitch, it’s like nothing.”

Santana has pitched at various points for the Pirates this season. He filled in at closer when David Bednar was sent to Triple-A Indianapolis in hopes of getting back on track. He’s pitched in the eighth inning, and he’s been brought into games with runners on base to try and extinguish scoring chances.

No matter the inning, Santana has been trusted to handle high-leverage situations. For the most part, he’s delivered.

“It gives me a lot of confidence,” Santana said on being trusted in big spots. “They know they got somebody who can pitch in any situation and I can do the job. I got confidence and I feel good. 

This time last year, Santana was a journeyman relief pitcher with a career 5.34 ERA. 

Fast forward 365 days later, and Santana has turned into one of the more effective relief pitchers in baseball.

What a difference one year and a chance with a new team can make.