Dennis Santana has joined the Arizona Diamondbacks on a minor league contract, as reported by his MLB.com transaction tracker. Previously with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Santana was designated for assignment in late July. Choosing free agency over a minor league assignment, he now looks to find a fresh start with the Diamondbacks. This move raises interesting questions about both his potential and the Diamondbacks' strategy in bolstering their pitching core.
A Look Back at Santana's Rollercoaster Career
In 2025, Santana had a productive season with a career-high 16 saves, stepping into the closer role after David Bednar was traded. However, his performance dipped sharply this year. He entered the season as the assumed closer for Pittsburgh but lost that status quickly. Converting only two of four save opportunities before May, he suffered through a 7.45 ERA. That kind of drop-off isn’t unusual in professional sports, especially for players like Santana who’ve shown flashes of promise but lack consistency. Following this rough patch, he was pushed down to lower-leverage situations until he eventually lost his spot on the roster.
While he had his moments, Santana's overall track record has been mixed at best. Over four seasons, he’s been an inconsistent reliever, barely making a mark before his successful stint with the Pirates. Acquired through a waiver claim from the Yankees in 2024, he managed a commendable 2.44 ERA with a 29.1% strikeout rate in 2024. Yet, as 2025 progressed, he struggled to maintain that form, evidenced by a 19.9% strikeout rate and an elevated 11.3% walk rate in 2026. He surrendered eight home runs over 41.2 innings, contributing to a disappointing 6.05 ERA. This kind of inconsistency is something teams are often wary of, particularly for players in high-stakes roles like the closer.
Pitch Quality and Performance Decline
Pitch quality has waned for Santana this season. His fastball is averaging a career-low 94.1 mph, which could be problematic as fastball velocity tends to correlate strongly with a pitcher's effectiveness at this level. His slider, while maintaining a decent 37.6% whiff rate, also demonstrated issues; opponents posted a .489 slugging percentage against his fastball. Once upon a time, the effectiveness of his fastball-slider combination was evident, but that edge has diminished significantly. It's a worrying trend that highlights the need for effective adjustments as a player ages or as their body endures the wear and tear of a long season. (And this is the part most people overlook — a pitcher's ability to adapt can often dictate their career longevity.)
The State of the Diamondbacks' Bullpen
The Diamondbacks are also grappling with challenges in their own bullpen. Right-hander Paul Sewald, expected to anchor the closing role, saw his position come under scrutiny after a series of blown saves and a 6.23 ERA across 39 innings. This has put the Diamondbacks in a precarious position, especially as the season approaches its final stretch. Despite holding a Wild Card spot in the NL, the Diamondbacks opted not to strengthen their bullpen during the trade deadline aside from signing outfielder Lars Nootbaar. This decision raises questions about their confidence in the current roster and whether they see Santana as a potential answer to their closing woes.
Emerging in high-stakes situations is lefty Brandyn Garcia, who has delivered a sharp 2.03 ERA along with a 31% strikeout rate across 37 appearances. He’s stepped up as a reliable option, securing two saves at the end of July and closing out a recent game against the Padres with a comfortable lead. Yet, even with his impressive numbers, will the team fully trust him to shoulder such an important role? It’s still uncertain.
However, Garcia may not wind up as the primary closer due to the absence of high-leverage lefties in Arizona’s bullpen. Right-hander Justin Martinez is returning from elbow surgery and recently began a rehab assignment. With 13 saves since 2024 and a five-year, $18MM extension, Martinez is poised to play a significant role in the bullpen’s future. The team clearly has a lot of pieces to sort through, making Santana's addition even more significant.
Future Implications and Outlook
For Santana, this new chapter with the Diamondbacks might be his last shot at establishing himself as a reliable reliever. If he can regain his previous form, it could provide a much-needed spark to a struggling bullpen. Whether he can adapt quickly remains to be seen. This situation illustrates broader trends in how teams handle pitchers who are in a state of flux. If you're working in this space, the story isn’t just about one player; it reflects the ongoing challenges that many MLB teams face in managing their pitching staffs amidst high-pressure environments.
As for the Diamondbacks, their decision to bring in Santana speaks volumes. It raises questions about their long-term strategy and whether they are willing to take risks on players who may have underperformed elsewhere. This will be a critical question as they navigate the remainder of the season and pursue playoff aspirations.
Photo courtesy of Rafael Suanes, Imagn Images