The Pirates are improving their bullpen.
On Thursday, Pittsburgh announced the acquisition of right-handed relief pitcher Ron Marinaccio from the Padres.
In return, San Diego received consideration from the international signing bonus pool.
Marinaccio, who is 31, has had a challenging season thus far, recording a 4.79 ERA along with 38 strikeouts over 47 innings.
This move could bolster a Pirates bullpen that is currently missing Chris Devenski and Evan Sisk.
Beyond this season, the Toms River, New Jersey native has enjoyed a reasonably successful career in MLB since being called up by the Yankees four seasons ago, with a career ERA of 3.02 and 149 strikeouts across 125 1/3 innings from 2022 to 2025.
To fill the gap left by Marinaccio, the Pirates chose to select Dennis Santana, who has appeared in 44 games this season but has struggled with a 6.05 ERA.
Pittsburgh’s decision to designate Santana for assignment came just three days after he was involved in a confrontation with Yankees infielder Jose Caballero.
During the eighth inning of the Yankees’ 8-5 victory over the Pirates on Monday, Caballero grounded out to Sanchez, igniting a clash between the two players.
Both players began approaching each other before teammates intervened, leading to the clearing of both the bench and bullpen.
“If you’re frustrated, I’m winning,” Caballero remarked to reporters. “For me, it’s about winning that battle in the box. I need to stay focused, and I think I’m succeeding.”
In contrast, Santana asserted that his frustration was directed at the overall pace of the game rather than Caballero.
“It was really about the speed of the game—I’m just not accustomed to it,” Santana explained. “People take too long at home plate, and that irked me a bit. In baseball, speed is essential. That doesn’t bother him, though.”
“But you know, it’s just a game. I got wrapped up in it.”
