The Diamondbacks made a pretty revealing bullpen move on Aug. 16, and the Padres have every reason to pay attention.
Arizona selected Dennis Santana’s contract less than two weeks after signing him to a minor-league deal, betting that the right-hander can rediscover the form he showed with Pittsburgh in 2025. That version of Santana would be a real boost. The one he’s shown this season is a much shakier proposition.
Santana’s year with the Pirates ended with a 6.05 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP over 41 2/3 innings. He gave up 21 walks, struck out 37 batters and allowed eight home runs in 44 appearances before Pittsburgh designated him for assignment in July. He then chose free agency.
Arizona is clearly hoping it found the 2025 version again. Last season, Santana was excellent: a 2.18 ERA and 16 saves in 70 1/3 innings. That’s the kind of arm that can matter in August, especially when every bullpen decision gets amplified.
But the current version is the one the Diamondbacks are actually getting. His ERA has nearly tripled, and he’s already surrendered more home runs this year than he allowed across his previous 109 appearances combined.
The gamble makes some sense on paper. Arizona’s bullpen sits 16th in the majors with a 4.11 ERA, and relievers are always volatile.
Santana came cheap, and he does have a recent stretch of success to lean on. Still, the upside comes with real risk.
That’s where the Padres come in. San Diego and Arizona are chasing the same postseason opening, so this isn’t just a depth move. If the Diamondbacks lean on Santana in a tight game, they’re putting part of that chase in the hands of a pitcher who has spent this season giving up plenty of traffic.
The Padres don’t need Santana to melt down every time out. They only need a few outings that look like the rough stretch Pittsburgh saw. In a race this close, a reliever with that kind of volatility can matter a lot.
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