Pirates Acquire Ron Marinaccio, Designate Dennis Santana For Assignment - MLB Trade Rumors

What the report says

MLB Trade Rumors said the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired right-handed reliever Ron Marinaccio from the San Diego Padres on July 23, 2026, after San Diego had recently designated him for assignment. The Padres received international bonus pool considerations, with Francys Romero of BeisbolFR cited for the figure of $500,000 in pool space. To make room, Pittsburgh designated right-hander Dennis Santana for assignment.

The move represents a bullpen reshuffle for a Pirates club trying to stay in the National League postseason race. Santana, 30, had been a key part of Pittsburgh’s relief group in 2025, when he threw 70 1/3 innings with a 2.18 ERA. MLB Trade Rumors noted that his underlying indicators were less dominant than the ERA but still solid. In 2026, however, Santana has struggled to a 6.05 ERA over 41 2/3 innings, with a lower strikeout rate and a walk rate that rose to 11.3%.

Marinaccio, 31, also arrives after a down season. From 2022 through 2025, he posted a 3.02 ERA across 125 1/3 innings while striking out 28.3% of batters, though walks were an issue. This year, he has a 4.79 ERA in 47 innings, with fewer strikeouts but improved control. Because he is out of minor league options, his roster spot may remain uncertain.

The transaction matters because Pittsburgh’s bullpen has been a weak point as the club pushes toward the trade deadline. MLB Trade Rumors said the Pirates were half a game out of a Wild Card spot and had a reliever ERA in the bottom third of MLB, making further additions possible before the August 3 deadline.