Because of injuries mounting in their starting rotation and a bullpen becoming taxed, the Los Angeles Dodgers were forced to recall pitching prospect Dennis Santana from Triple-A Oklahoma City this week.
He joined the likes of Andrew Toles, Brock Stewart, Julio Urias, Jose De Leon and Walker Buehler in making a quick rise to the Majors over recent seasons. Santana is considered by most publications a top-10 prospect in the Dodgers organization.
While a starter by trade, he was placed in the bullpen for the final two games of the series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Santana didn’t pitch in either contest and was on track to potentially start during the weekend series at Coors Field.
The young right-hander received consideration to take the ball in the series opener but that instead went to Scott Alexander in what was a bullpen game. He was followed by Santana after going 1.1 innings.
There were growing pains against a potent Colorado Rockies lineup, but Santana reveled in making his MLB debut, per Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“It was beautiful being able to run out of the bullpen and face these batters that I’ve only seen on TV,” Santana said through an interpreter, smiling broadly. “It was a great experience.”
Santana retired his first batter faced but then surrendered a single, hit opposing pitcher Tyler Anderson, and allowed an RBI single to DJ LeMahieu and go-ahead two-run triple to Charlie Blackmon.
Santana retired the side in order in the third inning, though was tagged for an RBI single by LeMahieu in the fourth and another by Gerardo Parra in the fifth. Overall, he allowed five runs on six hits and struck out four in 3.2 innings.
Appearing in his first Major League game was a notable accomplishment on its own but Santana added to it by driving in two on a double with the bases loaded in the fourth inning. The extra-base hit came in Santana’s first career MLB plate appearance.
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