Dennis Santana Suspended for Altercation with Fan
Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Dennis Santana has been suspended for three games, a reduction from the initially planned four, due to an incident with a fan during a game against the Detroit Tigers on June 19. The suspension went into effect immediately, starting Sunday in the last game of the home series against the New York Mets. Santana will also be absent against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday and Tuesday, and will be able to return for the end of that series on Wednesday. In videos spread on social media, Santana was seen pointing at the fan to a police officer before jumping and hitting the person, who was in the front row above the Pittsburgh bullpen at Comerica Park. After the incident, Santana was removed by Pirates bullpen personnel and restrained by a teammate. Santana got the first out of the ninth inning before a rain delay stopped what became an 8-4 Pirates win in 10 innings.Santana, a 29-year-old right-handed pitcher, has a 2-1 record with a 1.50 ERA and five saves in 36 games this season. He has allowed one hit in 4 1/4 innings in four appearances since the day of the incident. In the 9-2 victory over the Mets on Saturday, Santana struck out two with one walk in 1 1/4 innings.“You know me, I am a calm person,” Santana said after that game through an interpreter. “I have never had problems with any of the teams I have played for and I guess the guy crossed the line several times. I wouldn’t like to go into details”.
Dennis Santana
