MLB suspends Pirates pitcher for 'aggressive' incident with fan

The fan was removed by Comerica Park security. Santana was not ejected and was called upon in the ninth inning. He recorded one out before the game went into a rain delay that led the Pirates to remove him rather than risk warming him back up.

After the game, Santana told the Pittsburgh beat via an interpreter that the fan had “crossed a line.” He declined to provide any more specific, via Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Santana conceded that did not “justify (his) actions” and said he’d already expressed regret to manager Don Kelly. 

“You guys know me and I’m a calm demeanor type of person,” he told reporters. “I’ve never had any issues with any of the teams that I’ve played for and I guess the guy crossed the line a few times. I would not like to go into it.”

A waiver claim from the Yankees last June, Santana has been quietly excellent over a full calendar year since landing in Pittsburgh. He owns a 1.72 ERA with five saves and nine holds through 32 appearances this season. Santana has a year-and-a-half of remaining arbitration control and should be a solid trade chip as the Pirates approach deadline season as clear sellers.