The Arizona Diamondbacks promoted right-hander Dennis Santana and designated left-hander Philip Abner for assignment on Sunday [1], [2].
The roster move aims to strengthen the team's relief pitching depth as the club prepares for a series against the Atlanta Braves [5].
Santana joins the major league roster from the minor leagues to provide additional arms in the bullpen [1], [3]. The right-hander brings a track record of efficiency to the Diamondbacks. During the 2025 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Santana recorded a 2.18 ERA over 70.1 innings and earned 16 saves [2].
To make room for Santana, the Diamondbacks placed Philip Abner on the waiver-release list [1], [4]. The designation for assignment means the left-hander may be claimed by another team or sent back to the minor leagues if he clears waivers [5].
This transaction took place shortly before the team's scheduled game against the Braves [3]. The Diamondbacks have sought to optimize their pitching rotations and relief options as they navigate the current season [5].
The promotion of Santana represents a shift in the bullpen's composition, replacing a left-handed option with a right-handed arm who has previous experience in high-leverage closing situations [2]. The team has not yet announced the specific roles Santana will fill in the current relief corps [1].
“The Arizona Diamondbacks promoted right-hander Dennis Santana and designated left-hander Philip Abner for assignment.”
By swapping Abner for Santana, the Diamondbacks are prioritizing proven late-inning reliability over left-handed versatility. Santana's 2025 performance with Pittsburgh suggests he can handle closing duties, which may indicate the team is addressing a specific weakness in their ability to secure wins in the final innings.
