Pirates Roster Moves: Dennis Santana Returns From Bereavement

PITTSBURGH — Dennis Santana will be available out of the bullpen for the Pittsburgh Pirates against the San Diego Padres on Sunday afternoon.

The Pirates reinstated Santana from the Bereavement/Family Medical Emergency list after the right-hander missed the last five games.

Santana has made 13 appearances out of the bullpen for the Pirates this season and is 0-1 with a 1.46 ERA and three saves. He’s limited opponents to a .195 batting average and a .532 OPS in 12.1 innings pitched.

Since joining the team last season, the right-hander has a 2.22 ERA across 52 appearances.

To make room for Santana on the active roster, the Pirates optioned right-handed pitcher Kyle Nicolas to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Nicolas has struggled through seven appearances and carries a 10.57 ERA. In 7.2 innings, Nicolas has been charged with nine runs on 10 hits with eight walks and six strikeouts.

Most of the damage against him came against the Cleveland Guardians on Apr. 18, when he allowed five runs and recorded just one out in a 10-7 loss for the Pirates.

Last season, Nicolas made 51 appearances with Pittsburgh and went 2-2 with a 3.95 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 54.2 innings. He earned his first big-league win on July 13 against the White Sox in Chicago.