After entering spring training viewed as sleepers for roles for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ regular-season roster, Jared Oliva and Edgar Santana were among those officially dropped from consideration Monday.
Outfielder Oliva and right-hander Santana were optioned to the minor leagues and infielder Kevin Kramer and right-hander Shea Spitzbarth were reassigned to minor-league camp, the Pirates announced late Monday afternoon.
The speedy Oliva, 25, was on the periphery of the mix for a spot as a reserve outfielder. But the former seventh-round pick had just three hits in 21 Grapefruit League at-bats after having just three hits — all singles, with no walks — in 16 MLB at-bats late last season.
Santana had worked himself into a relatively high-leverage role in the Pirates’ bullpen in 2018, but he underwent Tommy John surgery late that year. The accompanying rehab kept Santana out of the 2019 season, and he was suspended for the ensuing season because of testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.
This spring, Santana allowed seven runs on eight hits (two home runs) in 4 2/3 innings of Grapefruit League work.
Kramer had two hits and did not walk in 20 plate appearances this spring. A former second-round pick, Kramer was removed from the Pirates’ 40-man roster last fall after having a .152/.222/.165 slash line in 43 games for the club from 2018-19.
Invited to spring training as a non-roster player, the 26-year-old Spitzbarth had a 4.91 ERA over four spring appearances.
Monday’s moves left 49 active players in the Pirates’ MLB camp with opening day just 10 days away.
Love baseball? Stay up-to-date with the latest Pittsburgh Pirates news.
