Photo by Mike Watters of USA Today
The New York Mets announced on Friday afternoon that they’ve claimed right-handed pitcher Dennis Santana off waivers from the Minnesota Twins. Santana was sold by the Rangers to the Braves in November and then was claimed by the Twins off waivers from the Rangers last month.
Santana, 26, has allowed three runs in six innings on six hits, only one walk, and seven strikeouts in six games for the Twins this spring. The hard thrower had a 5.22 ERA, 3.89 xERA, 3.35 FIP, 1.33 WHIP and 54 strikeouts in 58 2/3 innings for the Rangers in the majors last year over 63 games. Santana had a 4.28 ERA in 54 2/3 innings between the Rangers and Dodgers in 2021.
Mets have claimed right-handed Dennis Santana off waivers from the Twins.
Average fastball 96.7 mph last year and had 3.89 xERA in 58 2/3 big league innings.
— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) March 17, 2023
Santana throws hard with a 97.7 mph average on his four-seamer and 96.7 mph on his sinker last year. Opponents had just a .282 slugging percentage in 2022 against his slider and an even lower .205 slugging percentage off his changeup.
Like Mets bullpen hopeful Stephen Nogosek, Santana is on the 40-man roster and out of options. The Mets will continue to look for bullpen improvements following a season-ending injury to Edwin Diaz and injuries to Sam Coonrod and Bryce Montes de Oca that will leave them unavailable for Opening Day.
