Two Sundays ago, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said Edgar Santana had assumed the role of a sixth-inning bridge to Michael Feliz.
Things quickly changed: On Tuesday, Hurdle announced a bullpen shakeup. George Kontos was demoted from the set-up role, and Hurdle didn’t name any one replacement. Rather, Santana, Michael Feliz, Kyle Crick and Richard Rodriguez would get opportunities in that spot as the Pirates continued to evaluate their bullpen, which is the early contender to win the Pirates’ most improved award this season. The Pirates would respond situationally to relief opportunities.
Yet Santana entered Wednesday’s game against Chicago White Sox, which the Pirates won, 3-2, in a role similar to where he’s found success throughout this season.