Dennis Santana Fantasy Stats

Jose Negron of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports that the Pittsburgh Pirates aren't expected to have a designated closer going into the 2026 regular season. Manager Don Kelly said that right-hander Dennis Santana will get a lot of time in the ninth inning, but "he won't be the only one." "Gregory Soto has closed, we've got guys on the back end that can handle it with the stuff they have," Kelly said. Santana is still probably the best fantasy bet for saves in the Steel City, but Soto and Isaac Mattson could also see opportunities, especially if Santana hits a rough patch at any point. The 29-year-old Dominican had a strong 2.18 ERA (3.21 FIP), 0.87 WHIP, a career-high 16 saves, 60 strikeouts, and 17 walks in 70 1/3 innings in a career year with the Bucs in 2025. Santana saw 10 of the team's final 12 save chances last year after they traded away David Bednar. This news further cements the fact that Santana remains a risky fantasy closer despite the fact that he's the favorite for saves to begin the year.

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Dennis Santana posted a breakout season in 2025, collecting a 4-5 record with a 2.18 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 60 strikeouts, and 16 saves across 70 1/3 innings pitched. The 29-year-old emerged as Pittsburgh's primary ninth-inning option down the stretch of 2025 after the Pirates traded veteran closer David Bednar to the New York Yankees at the trade deadline. Heading into 2026, Santana looks set to get the first shot as Pittsburgh's primary save-earner. Santana's numbers are almost certain to regress from the outlier marks he posted in 2025, as he was buoyed by an unsustainably low .211 opponent batting average on balls in play. Santana is also not an elite strikeout pitcher, as he posted a 22.2% strikeout rate in 2025 and owns a career mark of 22.1%. However, Santana has now posted consecutive seasons with a WHIP of 1.09 or better and may have the trust of the Pirates organization. If he can do enough to maintain the closing job in Pittsburgh, Santana could be an undervalued source of saves for fantasy managers in 2026.

Relief pitcher Dennis Santana has agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates to avoid arbitration. Santana made his debut with the Pirates in 2024 after stints with the Yankees, Mets, Rangers, and Dodgers. During his first stint in Pittsburgh, the right-hander looked quite comfortable, posting a 2.44 ERA with 0.92 WHIP across 44 1/3 innings of work. In 2025, Santana continued to pitch at a high level, turning in his best season as a major-league pitcher, logging 70 1/3 innings with a 2.18 ERA and a stellar 0.70 WHIP. He struck out just 60 hitters but showed above-average command, allowing walks at a 6.3% rate. He tallied 16 saves and appears to remain the primary ninth-inning option in 2026. While his strikeout numbers may remain low, Santana is a safe bet for double-digit saves and high-end ratios in the upcoming season.

Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Dennis Santana slammed the door on the Toronto Blue Jays in a 2-1 win on Wednesday to record his ninth save of the year. Santana threw a 1-2-3 ninth inning on eight pitches, all strikes, and fanned one hitter. The right-hander has gone 3-for-4 on save chances since the Pirates dealt closer David Bednar to the New York Yankees at the July 31 trade deadline. While Santana yielded seven earned runs in 1 2/3 innings over his first three August appearances, he has now tossed 5 1/3 scoreless frames in a row. The 29-year-old's ERA is down to 2.36 with a .88 WHIP and 43:11 K:BB in 54 1/3 innings.

Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Dennis Santana closed out the Cincinnati Reds on Friday for a 3-2 win and his seventh save of the year. Santana went 1-2-3 with a strikeout on a mere eight pitches to finish off the Reds in the top of the ninth inning. It was a much-needed clean inning for Santana, who's off to a terrible start in August. In four appearances this month, Santana has yielded seven earned runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings, tallied two losses, and blown a save. The Pirates traded closer David Bednar to the New York Yankees at the July 31 trade deadline, leaving the role open for Santana. Despite his recent issues, the 29-year-old has recorded quality numbers this season. Across 50 frames, Santana has logged a 2.52 ERA with a .92 WHIP, 40 strikeouts, and 11 walks.

Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Dennis Santana began serving a three-game suspension on Sunday. Major League Baseball issued the right-hander a four-game ban for "aggressive conduct toward a fan" in Detroit on June 20. However, the league reduced the punishment by a game after Santana's appeal. The 31-year-old will be available out of the Pirates' bullpen beginning Wednesday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Santana has been a rare bright spot for the last-place Pirates this season, having pitched to a 1.50 ERA with a 0.78 WHIP, 28:6 K:BB, nine holds, and five saves in 36 innings.

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Dennis Santana has been suspended four games for his action during the second game of the doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday. Santana gets slapped with this suspension for allegedly attempting to jump up and hit a fan above the bullpen wall. The suspension was supposed to start on Friday, but Santana has decided to appeal it. That being said, Santana will remain active out of the bullpen until the league makes their decision. Santana has been a stud out of the bullpen with a 1.72 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and 25/5 K/BB ratio across 31.1 innings of work this season.

Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed reliever Dennis Santana closed the door on the division-rival Cincinnati Reds in the 3-1 win at PNC Park on Wednesday for his fifth save of the season. Santana threw a scoreless inning to pick up his 10th hold of the year in Tuesday's win against the Reds while David Bednar picked up the save, but Pittsburgh gave Santana the nod in the save situation on Wednesday in the series finale. The 29-year-old didn't disappoint, throwing a scoreless inning with no walks and two strikeouts. Bednar had thrown in back-to-back days on Monday and Tuesday, but the closing situation in Pittsburgh appears to be a two-way committee between Bednar and Santana. It will be frustrating for fantasy purposes on a team that doesn't see many save situations, but Santana will remain valuable in holds leagues. Santana will be a prime trade candidate as the deadline approaches this summer.

Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitcher Dennis Santana has been activated from the bereavement list prior to Sunday's contest against the San Diego Padres. In a corresponding move, the Pirates have optioned right-handed pitcher Kyle Nicolas to Triple-A Indianapolis. Through his first 12 1/3 innings of the season, Santana has been a reliable high-leverage option out of the bullpen, holding a stellar 1.46 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP. Across this stint, Santana has struck out just seven batters but has tallied three saves. While Santana was sidelined, David Bednar returned to the closer role, but given Bednar's early-season struggles, Santana could still be in the mix to see the majority of save situations. However, given the potential for a timeshare, he should only be started in deeper 12+ team formats.

The Pittsburgh Pirates placed right-hander Dennis Santana on the bereavement list on Tuesday, according to manager Derek Shelton. Right-handed reliever Hunter Stratton took Santana's spot on the active MLB roster. Santana will be away from the team for a few days but could be back and available to work in relief for Friday's series opener at PNC Park against the visiting San Diego Padres. While Santana is away from the Bucs for a few days, right-hander David Bednar should see any save chances that arise. Santana has been sharp so far in 2025 in his 13 relief appearances for the Pirates, allowing only three runs (two earned) on eight hits while walking three and striking out seven with three saves in 12 1/3 innings pitched. He should be back with the club at some point this weekend.