Pittsburgh Pirates
Santana signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent in October 2013. [1] He made his professional debut in 2014 with the Dominican Summer League Pirates and spent the whole season there,going 1–3 with a 3.66 ERA in 19.2 relief innings pitched. He played 2015 with the West Virginia Black Bears and West Virginia Power where he posted a combined 1–0 record and 3.19 ERA in 22 relief appearances. In 2016 he pitched for the Bradenton Marauders,Altoona Curve and Indianapolis Indians,compiling a combined 4–1 record and 2.71 ERA in 43 appearances out of the bullpen,and after the season pitched in the Arizona Fall League. [2] [3]
Santana started 2017 with the Indianapolis Indians,and was called up to the Pirates on June 10. [4] He made his MLB debut that day against the Miami Marlins,in which he pitched an inning,allowing one run on three hits and striking out two. [5] He was recalled and optioned multiple times during the season. In 44 games for Indianapolis he was 1–3 with a 2.79 ERA,and in 19 games for the Pirates he compiled a 3.50 ERA. [6] Santana began 2018 in Pittsburgh's bullpen,and pitched to a 3.26 ERA with 54 strikeouts in 66.1 innings of work.
Santana underwent Tommy John surgery in October 2018 after suffering a torn UCL,and missed the entire 2019 season. [7] [8] On June 28,2020,Santana was suspended 80 games for testing positive for Boldenone,and missed the entire 2020 season. [9] On April 5,2021,Santana was designated for assignment following the waiver claim of Kyle Keller. [10]
Atlanta Braves
On April 9,2021,Santana was traded to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for cash considerations. [11] On April 30,Santana made his first MLB appearance since the 2018 season,allowing 1 run in 1.0 inning. In 41 total games for Atlanta,he recorded a 3.59 ERA with 33 strikeouts across 42+2⁄3 innings pitched. On October 27, Santana was released by the Braves. [12]
