One of the Pirates' most promising young pitchers will not be in action for the second consecutive season.
On Sunday, it was announced that relief Edgar Santana will be suspended 80 games after testing positive for Boldenone, which is a known performance-enhancing substance. The news was reported by Adam Berry of MLB.com.
It is a blow for a Pittsburgh team thin with depth in all aspects, as Santana was set to potentially be a driving force in the bullpen this season. Although Santana was set down to Indianapolis (AAA) in March prior to the roster freeze, there was a shot he would have been placed on the team's expanded roster.
Santana broke into the big leagues in June of 2017, striking out two batters in an inning of work in a victory over the Miami Marlins. In 18.0 innings pitched in 2017, Santana pitched to a 3.50 ERA with 20 strikeouts.
Santana showed much promise in his first full season in the big leagues. His 2018 campaign saw him post a 3.26 ERA with 54 strikeouts in 66.1 innings pitched.
It will be interesting to see if Santana's case is treated the same as that of Cleveland Indians reliever Emmanuel Clase. Clase, who was suspended 80 games in May after testing positive for a banned substance, will reportedly be able to serve his 80 game suspension during the 60-game 2020 season and return to action in 2021.
Pablo Reyes, a utilityman for Pittsburgh, tested positive for the same substance as Santana this past February. Reyes is also due an 80-game suspension.
While the bullpen will be serviceable under Keone Kela, Kyle Crick and Richard Rodriguez, the loss of Santana depletes a bullpen that has been hurting ever since the arrest of Felipe Vazquez this past September.
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