Pirates Activate Dennis Santana, Option Ryder Ryan

The Pittsburgh Pirates have activated right-handed pitcher Dennis Santana and optioned fellow right-hander Ryder Ryan to Triple-A Indianapolis.

The Pirates claimed Santana off waivers from the New York Yankees on Tuesday.

Santana made 23 appearances with the Yankees this season out of the bullpen. The 28-year-old was 2-0 with a 6.26 ERA. He totaled 27.1 innings, allowed 21 hits, walked 10 and struck out 19.

Opponents hit .262 with a .741 OPS against Santana, who did a good job of limiting the home run ball (two homers allowed).

Santana has seven years of big-league experience between the Yankees, Dodgers, Rangers and Mets. In his career, he’s gone 10-14 with a 5.34 ERA with three saves in 166 appearances.

The Pirates recalled Ryan from Indianapolis on Tuesday but he did not appear in a game in either of the first two games against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Ryan has been up and down between Pittsburgh and Indianapolis quite a bit this season. In 11 appearances, the right-hander has gone 1-0 with a 3.46 ERA. He’s struck out 14 batters in 13 innings pitched.

In 10 appearances at Triple-A this season, Ryan owns a 3.77 ERA across 10 appearances out of the bullpen.

Additionally, infielder Alika Williams, who is on the 10-day injured list with a right wrist sprain, will begin a rehab assignment with Indianapolis on Thursday.

Williams has played 23 games with the Pirates this season and has hit .210 with a .525 OPS.