Pirates Trade for Veteran Reliever, DFA Dennis Santana

Marinaccio, 31, got bumped off the Padres’ 40-man roster Sunday after a career-worst start to the season. In 33 appearances, the right-hander posted a 4.79 ERA and 1.45 WHIP with 38 strikeouts over 47 innings. He especially struggled in his last seven outings, allowing nine earned runs on 13 hits and six walks in 8.1 innings.

From 2022 to 2025, opponents batted just .186 against Marinaccio, who spent the first few years of his career with the New York Yankees. The right-hander made 108 MLB appearances during that span, posting a 3.02 ERA with 149 strikeouts over 125.1 innings.

Marinaccio can be cost-controlled for three seasons after this one, though he is out of minor league options. He now has an opportunity to carve out a role in a Pirates bullpen that ranks 22nd in ERA (4.42) and 23rd in WHIP (1.40) this season.

Santana, 30, entered 2026 as the Pirates’ top ninth-inning option following a pair of impressive seasons with the club. The right-hander had a 2.44 ERA in 39 appearances after Pittsburgh claimed him off waivers in 2024, and last year, he recorded a career-high 16 saves while posting a 2.18 ERA and 0.87 WHIP over 70 innings.

This season has not panned out as expected for Santana, who is in his final year of arbitration. Through 44 appearances, he owns a 6.05 ERA and 1.51 WHIP with 37 strikeouts over 41.2 innings. He has also given up eight home runs, one more than he allowed over his previous 109 appearances combined.

Any team that claims Santana would be on the hook for the remainder of his $3.5 million salary, which could make it more likely he passes through waivers unclaimed. If that happens, the right-hander would have the right to decline an assignment to Triple-A Indianapolis since he has more than five years of service time.