Last Thursday, the Pittsburgh Pirates designated right-handed reliever Dennis Santana for assignment.
It now looks like the Pirates’ Dennis Santana era is officially over.
Pittsburgh Pirates release ex-Yankees, Dodgers Pitcher Dennis Santana
GettyARLINGTON, TEXAS – APRIL 22: Dennis Santana #60 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches against the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning at Globe Life Field on April 22, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Santana elected free agency after clearing waivers, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
Santana, who signed a $3.5 million deal with the Pirates in the offseason, posted a 6.05 ERA with a 1.51 WHIP and 37 strikeouts over 41 2/3 innings for Pittsburgh this season.
The Pirates still have to pay Santana the remainder of his salary. He is still owed roughly $1.1 million, according to MLB Trade Rumors.
A team can now choose to sign Santana and pay him the prorated league minimum salary, which would be subtracted from what the Pirates pay.
More About Dennis Santana
GettyPITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 26: Dennis Santana #60 of the Pittsburgh Pirates reacts after defeating the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on May 26, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Santana made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018. He made just one appearance that year.
Santana pitched in the Dodgers organization until being traded to the Texas Rangers on June 17, 2021, in exchange for left-hander Kelvin Bautista.
GettyST LOUIS, MISSOURI – MAY 20: Dennis Santana #60 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals in the ninth inning at Busch Stadium on May 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images)
In his four seasons with the Dodgers, Santana posted a rough 6.42 ERA with a 1.67 WHIP and 36 strikeouts across 40 2/3 innings.
Santana pitched for Texas for the remainder of the 2021 season and then part of the 2022 season. He recorded a 4.58 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP and 92 strikeouts across 98 1/3 innings for the Rangers.
GettyARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 20: Dennis Santana #19 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Los Angeles Angels during the fifth inning at Globe Life Field on September 20, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Santanta also pitched for the New York Mets in 2023. He appeared in 23 games for the New York Yankees in 2024 before being claimed off waivers from the Pirates on June 11, 2024.
Since being claimed off waivers from the Pirates, Santana had been with the team until being DFA’d recently.
Pittsburgh Pirates Right Now
GettyPITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – JULY 27: Brandon Lowe #5 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates after hitting a game winning RBI single during the tenth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park on July 27, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
The Pittsburgh Pirates just completed a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park. Pittsburgh won the first game before Arizona won Games 2 and 3. The Pirates have lost six of their last 10 games.
Pittsburgh is two games back of the final National League Wild Card spot with a 55-54 record. The team is 12 1/2 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the National League Central. Pittsburgh has a solid +37 run differential this year.
Pittsburgh Pirates Officially Cut Ties With Former Yankees, Dodgers Pitcher