The most talked-about moment from Thursday’s doubleheader between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers didn’t come on the field—it unfolded in the bullpen.
In a tense and unusual scene at Comerica Park, Pirates reliever
Dennis Santana was seen on camera appearing to lunge at a fan who had been taunting him from the stands above the visitors' bullpen. The fan—reportedly wearing a Pirates jersey and a Tigers cap—drew the ire of Santana, who pointed directly at the individual before advancing toward him.
Security swiftly intervened, preventing the situation from escalating further. A guard pushed Santana back from the wall, and the fan was later ejected from the stadium, according to The Athletic’s Cody Stavenhagen.
Santana Addresses the Incident
Following the game, Santana spoke to reporters via an interpreter. While choosing not to go into detail, the 29-year-old emphasized that this kind of behavior is out of character for him:
“You guys know me. I’m a calm demeanor type of person. I’ve never had any issues with any of the teams that I’ve played for. I guess the guy crossed the line a few times, but I would like to not go into it,”
Santana told Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Despite the confrontation, Santana remained in the game. He was still on the mound when the second leg of the doubleheader was paused due to a rain delay in the bottom of the ninth inning with the score tied 4-4. When play resumed after more than an hour, David Bednar took over, and the Pirates rallied to win 8-4, salvaging a split on the day.
Could Santana Face MLB Discipline?
Major League Baseball may still take action. While the fan was ejected, Santana’s attempt to physically engage could lead to disciplinary consequences. MLB has historically taken a firm stance against players making contact with spectators.
A recent precedent involves Anthony Rendon of the Los Angeles Angels, who was suspended for five games (reduced to four on appeal) and fined after grabbing a fan’s jersey and throwing a missed punch in 2023.
A Career Year for Santana Amidst Controversy
The incident comes as
Dennis Santana is putting together a breakout season. Through 31.1 innings pitched, Santana boasts a 1.72 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and 25 strikeouts against just five walks. His consistent performance has made him one of the few bright spots in a struggling Pirates bullpen.
As the 2025 MLB trade deadline approaches, Santana could be a name to watch—both for his on-field value and now, unfortunately, for off-field headlines. Whether Thursday’s confrontation affects his trade value remains to be seen.
