Pirates Acquire Marinaccio for International Pool, DFA Santana

The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired right-hander Ron Marinaccio from the San Diego Padres in exchange for international signing bonus pool considerations to bolster a struggling bullpen, designating Dennis Santana for assignment to clear roster space. Marinaccio, 31, posted a 4.79 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 33 relief appearances this season and is expected to slot into Pittsburgh’s middle-relief mix, anchoring a unit that has ranked near the bottom in ERA and WHIP. The move comes as Santana, once the Pirates’ closer, has slumped to a 6.05 ERA over 44 appearances this season, with his velocity and effectiveness diminishing and his late-inning role now uncertain. Marinaccio has a track record of positive results earlier in his career and brings multiple pitches, which the Pirates hope can stabilize the bullpen alongside other relievers such as Soto and Montgomery. The deal continues a broader pattern for the Pirates this season of trading for bullpen help while contending with performance issues and roster churn, including controversy around Santana in past appearances. The acquisition is timely as Pittsburgh enters a series against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park, seeking steadier late-inning options and bullpen depth.