The Pittsburgh Pirates activated newly acquired right-hander Dennis Santana ahead of Thursday’s game in St. Louis.
Santana, 28, was claimed off waivers from the New York Yankees on Tuesday.
Santana went on to make his Pirates debut later on Thursday when Hunter Stratton exited with an apparent arm injury seven pitches into his relief appearance. Santana got two outs to complete the bottom of the eighth as the Cardinals went on to win 4-3.
Before he was designated for assignment on Sunday, Santana went 2-0 with two saves and a 6.26 ERA in 23 relief appearances for New York.
Santana is 10-14 with three saves and a 5.34 ERA in 167 games (one start) with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2018-21), Texas Rangers (2021-22), New York Mets (2023) and Yankees.
The Pirates optioned right-hander Ryder Ryan to Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding transaction. Ryan, 29, is 1-0 with a 3.46 ERA in 11 bullpen appearances for Pittsburgh this season.
The Pirates also sent infielder Alika Williams on a rehab assignment to Indianapolis as he nears a return from a right wrist injury. Williams, 25, was batting .210 in 23 games with Pittsburgh earlier this season.
