Pirates bring back right-handed pitcher from Triple-A and pick up right-handed pitcher Dennis Santana from the Yankees

In their ongoing effort to strengthen their bullpen, the Pittsburgh Pirates made several moves ahead of their upcoming series in St. Louis. They brought back right-handed pitcher Ryder Ryan from Triple-A Indianapolis, designated left-hander Jose Hernandez for assignment, and acquired 28-year-old righty Dennis Santana off waivers from the New York Yankees.

Ryan’s back-and-forth between Triple-A and the Pirates continues, marking his fourth stint in Pittsburgh this year. He has performed decently at the major-league level, boasting a 1-0 record with a 3.46 ERA across 11 games and 13 innings pitched. In Triple-A, Ryan has maintained a 3.77 ERA over 10 games, striking out 10 batters while issuing five walks.

Hernandez, who allowed a run in his last appearance for the Pirates on May 23, held a 1-1 record with a 3.38 ERA in seven games this season.

Santana joins the Pirates after being designated for assignment by the Yankees, where he posted a 2-0 record with a 6.26 ERA in 23 games, tallying 19 strikeouts and 10 walks over 27⅓ innings of work. Throughout his seven-year MLB career, spanning stints with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, New York Mets, and Yankees, Santana has compiled a 10-14 record with a 5.34 ERA. He primarily relies on his slider, sinker, and cutter, complemented by a four-seam fastball and changeup.

Additionally, the Pirates promoted their No. 7 overall prospect, 24-year-old righty Braxton Ashcraft, to Triple-A. Ashcraft showcased promising performances at Double-A Altoona this season, posting a 2-2 record with a 3.69 ERA in 11 starts, including a stellar 1.95 ERA over six starts. Notably, he exhibited excellent command, striking out 63 batters while issuing just eight walks over 53⅔ innings. Despite battling through injuries, including Tommy John surgery in 2021, Ashcraft returned to form last offseason, earning a spot on the Pirates’ 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. He leads a group of promising pitching prospects within the Pirates’ top 10 organizationally, alongside righties Bubba Chandler (No. 3) and Thomas Harrington (No. 5), as well as lefty Anthony Solometo (No. 4), making the transition from Double-A to Triple-A.