Pirates reliever Dennis Santana is facing a four-game suspension after he got into a bizarre dust-up with a fan in the second game of Thursday’s doubleheader against the Tigers.
MLB announced Friday it had levied the suspension and an undisclosed fine on Santana for “his aggressive conduct toward a fan near the bullpen.”
Santana is appealing the suspension and is eligible to play in Friday’s game against the Rangers while his case is evaluated.
Multiple videos posted to social media showed Santana jumping up toward the left-field stands from the bullpen at Detroit’s Comerica Park, extending his arm in an apparent attempt to swing at the fan.
After the incident, Pirates bullpen personnel and a teammate ushered Santana away from the stands and held him back.
“You guys know me — I’m a calm demeanor type of person,” Santana told reporters after the game. “I’ve never had any issues for any of the teams I’ve played for. This guy crossed the line a few times.”
Santana said the altercation took place around the seventh inning of the game, adding that he’s never been involved in any kind of similar incident with a fan in his baseball career.
“They crossed the line too many times,” Santana said after being asked how he felt about the incident. “Doesn’t just justify the actions, but yeah, it was too much.”
He also noted that he spoke with Pirates manager Don Kelly about the altercation after the game and told him that he regretted what he did, but insisted that he is a professional.
Before Friday’s game, Kelly spoke to media about the incident.
“Everybody in here knows Dennis Santana and how cool, calm, collected he is and what type of guy he is,” Kelly said. “I think that, as a player, looking back at my career, when you go on the road, you expect ribbing.
“You expect certain things to happen from a fan’s standpoint, but there’s a certain line that you can go up to. And from my understanding, the line was crossed yesterday.”
The righty has been off to a hot start with the Pirates this season, pitching to a 1.72 ERA and 25 strikeouts through 31⅓ innings.
He’s played for five different teams throughout his eight-year MLB career, including stints with the Mets (2023) and Yankees (2024).