09:27: Santana’s suspension has expired and he can return to the active list via David O’Brien of the Athletic.Twitter link).
08:05: The Braves get a right hand Edgar Santana of the Pirates in exchange for cash considerations, according to Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Twitter link). Pittsburgh named Santana for the allotment earlier this week.
A few years ago, Santana seemed to have solidified himself as a trusted bull arm in Pittsburgh. In 84.1 overs between 2017-’18 he achieved a solid 3.31 ERA / 3.77 SIERA. Santana did not miss many bats for a reliever (21.0% strikeout percentage), but he was pretty good at avoiding free passes (6.8% walk) and had ground balls at a decent cut of 45.6 % achieved.
Unfortunately, Santana had a torn UCL and he needed Tommy John Surgery in October 2018. The timing of the procedure cost him the entire 2019 season. Santana was then beaten last June with an 80-game suspension for PED, which kept him out of action for the entire season of last year.
Nearly three years removed from its most recent game action, it is unclear whether Santana can reclaim any of its previous promises. He has a few more option years left for minor leagues left, and he will give the Braves extra flexibility if the office is sufficiently impressed with his current form to keep him in the 40s. Atlanta released a spot of 40 men (and thinned out the right depth of the bullpen) in the Orlando Arcia trade earlier this week, so no corresponding move is needed to accommodate Santana’s arrival.