The Pittsburgh Pirates reinstated right-handed reliever Dennis Santana from the bereavement list, providing a boost to the back end of their bullpen.
Santana, 29, has a 1.46 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and three saves in 12 1/3 innings over 13 appearances this season, serving as the de facto closer when two-time All-Star David Bednar was demoted to the minors.
To make room for Santana on the active roster, the Pirates optioned righty reliever Kyle Nicolas to Triple-A Indianapolis. Nicolas, 26, had a 10.57 ERA and 2.35 WHIP with six strikeouts and eight walks in 7 2/3 innings over seven appearances.
