Dennis Santana News: Reaches deal with Pirates

Published on January 8, 2026

The Pirates and Santana avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.5 million contract Thursday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Santana finished the 2025 season with a 2.18 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 60:17 K:BB over 70.1 innings, picking up 16 saves along the way. The 29-year-old reliever is the favorite to open the 2026 season in the Pirates' closer role.