Padres should love potential playoff implications of Diamondbacks’ latest bullpen call-up

Every bullpen decision becomes more dangerous in August, especially when two division rivals are fighting over the same patch of real estate. The Diamondbacks chose to get almost as dicey as they possibly could. 

They selected Dennis Santana’s contract on Aug. 16, bringing the veteran right-hander back to the majors less than two weeks after signing him to a minor-league deal. The Diamondbacks are hoping they found the pitcher who dominated for Pittsburgh in 2025. Preferably not the version that has been around in 2026.

Santana left the Pirates with a 6.05 ERA and 1.51 WHIP across 41 2/3 innings. He walked 21 batters, struck out only 37 and surrendered eight home runs in 44 appearances. Pittsburgh DFA’d him in July, and he elected free agency.

It looks like Arizona is searching for a bit of nostalgia here. Santana was legitimately excellent in 2025. He posted a 2.18 ERA, and recorded 16 saves over 70 1/3 innings. That pitcher would absolutely strengthen the Diamondbacks’ bullpen.

The problem is what he looks like this season. His ERA has nearly tripled. He has already surrendered more home runs this year than he allowed across his previous 109 appearances combined. 

Diamondbacks’ Dennis Santana gamble could help tilt the wild-card race toward Padres

We can understand why the D-backs made the move. Their bullpen is sitting 16th in the majors in ERA with a 4.11. Relievers are volatile, Santana has a recent track record of success and the cost was minimal. There’s plenty of logic with little comfort.

The Padres and Diamondbacks are chasing the same postseason opening. That turns Santana into more than another reclamation project. If Arizona trusts him with a close game, the Diamondbacks will be placing part of their playoff pursuit in the hands of a reliever who has spent this season allowing a lot of traffic.

San Diego won’t be watching closely to see if Santana implodes every night. They only need a few of his appearances to resemble what Pittsburgh endured this season. And that could be a payoff for the Padres.

That is the potential payoff for the Friars. They still have to keep their side of the street clean. There are too many games remaining and too many variables involved to place the wild-card race on Santana. Still, close postseason races are usually decided by small failures. Arizona just added a reliever whose volatility opens the window for plenty of them.

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