A former New York Yankees pitcher has found his new home after being designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates late last month and then electing free agency.
According to MLB.com’s transaction tracker, former Yankees relief pitcher Dennis Santana has signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Seeing the Diamondbacks take a chance on a veteran relief pitcher like Santana is understandable. It is clear that their bullpen could use a boost, so there is no harm in them taking a look at the 6-foot-2 righty on this minor league contract. If he impresses while in the minor leagues, it could open the door for the former Yankees reliever to get a call up from the Diamondbacks before the season is over.
Former Yankees Dennis Santana Struggled With the Pirates This Season
Santana will certainly be hoping he gets the chance to try to bounce back after signing this minor league contract with the Diamondbacks. The nine-year veteran struggled this season with the Pirates before being designated for assignment, as he had a 2-5 record, a 6.05 ERA, and 37 strikeouts in 44 games.
Santana had some success with the Pirates before this past season, though. In 39 games for the Pirates during the 2024 season, he had a 1-1 record and a 2.44 ERA. Then, during this past season with Pittsburgh, he posted a 2.18 ERA and a career-high 16 saves. With this, he was expected to be a key part of the Pirates’ bullpen this year, but that ultimately did not come to fruition because of his struggles. Now, he will be looking to get things back on track after landing this minor league contract with the Diamondbacks.
Looking Back at Santana’s Time With the Yankees
Santana joined the Yankees organization when he signed a minor league deal with them in December 2023. From there, he earned a call-up to the Yankees’ major league roster in April of the 2024 season.
However, Santana struggled to find his rhythm after getting called up to the Yankees’ roster. In 23 appearances for the Yankees that season, he posted a 6.26 ERA. Due to this, he was designated for assignment by the Yankees in June of that season.
This would mark the end of Santana’s time with the Yankees, as the Pirates ended up claiming him off waivers. Now, with today’s news, Santana is heading to the Diamondbacks organization and will be looking for the opportunity to prove that he can still be a solid relief pitcher at the major level. Yet, for that to have any chance of occurring, he will need to impress during his minor league deal to earn a call up.
Former New York Yankees Pitcher Signs With New MLB Team