Pirates trade for Padres reliever Ron Marinaccio and designate Dennis Santana for assignment
The Pittsburgh Pirates completed a trade on Thursday to bring in right-handed pitcher Ron Marinaccio from the San Diego Padres. In return for the 31-year-old reliever, the club sent international bonus pool money to San Diego. Marinaccio brings major league experience to a bullpen that has searched for consistency throughout the season.
To make room for the new arrival, the team designated Dennis Santana for assignment. Santana struggled during his time with the club this year, posting a 6.05 ERA across 41 innings. The move marks a change in direction for the team’s late-inning options as management looks to adjust the roster before the end of the season.
Marinaccio faces a challenge in Pittsburgh as he aims to recover his form. He has registered a 4.79 ERA this season, allowing 13 hits and nine earned runs in his last few appearances with the Padres. The team front office intends to help him return to the career norms he established during his earlier seasons in New York, where he previously showed significant effectiveness.
Santana now waits to see if he will be claimed by another club or clear waivers. With over five years of service time, he maintains the right to decline an assignment to Triple-A if he clears the waiver process. This transaction reflects the ongoing efforts by the Pirates to stabilize their pitching staff as the trade deadline approaches.