By JUSTIN GUERRIERO

The Tribune-Review, Greensburg

(TNS)—There’s an argument to be made that Dennis Santana is enjoying the best extended stretch of his MLB career, now in its eighth season.

The 29-year-old righty reliever, whom the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired off waivers from the Yankees in June 2024, has experienced a career resurgence, if not a full renaissance, since joining his new club.

Having now reached 50 appearances in a Pirates uniform and nearing 220 as a bigleaguer, Santana is grateful to have stabilized in Pittsburgh.

“I think it’s the best thing to happen to my career and the best thing to happen in my life, outside of my kids and my wife,” Santana said. “I’m glad God sent me here and let me stay here.”

Less than a year ago, in the early summer of 2024, Santana’s future looked uncertain.

Following an unappetizing few months with the Yankees, having posted a 6.26 ERA over 23 appearances, he was designated for assignment.

Originally an international free agent signing by the Los Angeles Dodgers out of San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, Santana made his MLB debut with the club in 2018 and spent parts of seven seasons in the organization.

Over his career, which included stops with the Texas Rangers (2021-22) and New York Mets (2023), Santana put together effective stretches, with both clubs giving him a shot later in games.

But since he joined the Pirates, Santana emerged as a consistent, high-leverage bullpen option.

“When I got here last year, I never thought this year I’d have the chance to throw in the eighth or the ninth,” Santana said. “Thank God for that and thanks to (Pirates manager Derek Shelton) for giving me the opportunity.”

By the end of 2024, Santana had developed into one of the Pirates’ steadiest relievers.

Over 39 games, he compiled a 1-1 record and 2.44 ERA with 11 holds, striking out 50 with 11 walks over 44 1/3 innings.

So far this season, Santana has picked up where he left off.

Following his appearances Tuesday and Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels, Santana’s ERA is 1.59 through 11 1/3 innings.

“The consistency, and this dates back to last year,” Shelton said, discussing what has impressed him about Santana. “He did it last year near the end of the year and he pitched really well for us, once we acquired him (and) once our pitching group made some adjustments with him.

“I think the one thing that really stands out about (Santana) is he’s pretty calm. He’s got a pretty calm demeanor and that’s helpful in leverage situations.”

Key for Santana on the hill dating to last season has been the solid execution of a biting slider, his most-thrown pitch at 51%, per Statcast.

Averaging 86 mph, its movement — starting over the strike zone before breaking away from right-handed batters — has propelled Santana into the 98th percentile across MLB in chase percentage (42.9%).

Santana’s slider, as well as his cool nerves in leverage situations, were on display late Tuesday night during the Pirates’ eventual 9-3 win over the Angels.

Before the Pirates put the game away with three runs in the ninth, the Angels were threatening in the bottom of the eighth, having gotten two men aboard against Justin Lawrence.

That brought Jorge Soler to the plate, representing the tying run, with Shelton inserting Santana to put out the fire.

Santana proceeded to make quick work of Soler, retiring him via strikeout with three pitches, all sliders, to earn his third hold of the year in the process.

The Pirates also called upon Santana to shut the door against Los Angeles on Wednesday in the ninth inning.

While Soler hit a double down the third-base line, Santana recovered, preserving the 3-0 shutout and picking up his third save of the season.

For Santana, those kinds of outings — when the game is on the line — are the most enjoyable.

“When I’ve got pressure, I work better that way,” he said. “You’ve got to execute your pitches and be ready for anything, (but) I love it. I like to be out there late in games so I can feel the pressure. Nothing’s perfect, but trying to do the best I can.”

Santana doesn’t attribute his ongoing success with the Pirates to anything beyond preparation and execution.

As he continues to fool hitters with his slider, which he pairs primarily with a 95-mph four-seam fastball, Santana, a key member of the Pirates’ bullpen, is enjoying the fruits of his labor.

“I’m doing the same thing I was doing last year — same routine,” he said. “When you’re consistent with your plan, things work well.”