Pittsburgh Pirates struggle as Dennis Santana's performance declines

The Pittsburgh Pirates' bullpen issues continue with veteran relief pitcher Dennis Santana, who has struggled throughout the 2026 season. After allowing a game-winning home run in a recent matchup against the Cleveland Guardians, Santana's record fell to 2-5 with a 6.05 ERA over 44 appearances. The Pirates are reportedly considering trading for a closer at the deadline, as Santana has already surpassed his career-high in home runs allowed this season. His performance marks a notable drop from his successful outings in 2025, raising concerns about his ongoing struggles and the effectiveness of the bullpen moving forward.

• 12:20 PMYahoo Sports — The Pirates have a Dennis Santana problem