The Pirates introduced they’ve claimed reliever Dennis Santana off waivers from the Yankees. Pittsburgh designated Jose Hernandez for task to open a 40-man roster spot. The Bucs additionally recalled Ryder Ryan from Triple-A Indianapolis to take the bullpen spot opened by yesterday’s designation of Ben Heller.
Santana, 28, signed a minor league cope with New York over the offseason. He cracked the Yankee roster inside the first week of the season. Santana tossed 27 1/3 innings, sometimes in center aid, within the Bronx. Whereas he had a good run by the season’s first month, he’s run into more durable occasions for the reason that calendar flipped to Might. Santana allowed 6.26 earned runs per 9 whereas placing out a personal-low 16.5% of batters confronted altogether.
The correct-hander has posted an ERA above 5.00 in three consecutive seasons. Santana has nonetheless caught the eye of assorted groups as a center innings goal. Pittsburgh might be his fifth group courting again to 2021. Santana throws comparatively exhausting, sitting within the 95-96 MPH vary together with his sinker and four-seam fastball. Till this season, that had typically translated into common swing-and-miss charges in opposition to MLB hitters.
Santana has exhausted his minor league choices. He’ll step immediately into Pittsburgh’s bullpen as soon as he experiences to the group. The Pirates have to maintain him within the majors or once more ship him into DFA limbo. Santana surpassed the four-year service threshold this season and could be eligible for arbitration for 2 extra years if he pitches nicely sufficient to carry the roster spot.
Hernandez, a 6’3″ southpaw, was the third decide within the 2022 Rule 5 draft. The Bucs stashed him in low-leverage aid final season to realize his long-term contractual rights from the Dodgers. Whereas Hernandez struggled to a 4.97 ERA throughout 50 2/3 innings, his 27.8% strikeout proportion was purpose for optimism that he could possibly be a long-term bullpen piece.
The 26-year-old has had a troublesome follow-up season, most of which has been spent in Indianapolis. Hernandez has allowed 12 runs over 15 1/3 Triple-A frames. He has fanned 21 of 75 batters confronted (a strong 28% clip) however walked 9. Hernandez has been restricted to five 1/3 frames of two-run ball on the MLB stage this season. His 81.6 MPH common slider velocity and 93.1 MPH fastball velocity are every down greater than a mile per hour relative to final yr.
Pittsburgh will commerce Hernandez or put him on waivers inside the subsequent few days. He’s in his first of three choice years and has a strong observe file of lacking bats within the minors, so it wouldn’t be stunning if one other group takes a low-cost flier.
