Santana elected free agency Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

The soon-to-be 39-year-old right-hander will explore his options on the open market after he filled a long-relief role for Kansas City for most of the 2021 season. Over 38 appearances spanning 65.1 innings, Santana submitted a 4.68 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and a 52:22 K:BB.

Santana allowed three hits and two walks with three strikeouts in three innings during Tuesday's 6-4 win over Cleveland.

EDGE Analysis

Starter Brady Singer left with an arm injury in the first inning, but Santana was able to provide some length out of the bullpen. The 38-year-old hasn't had a great September, posting a 6.75 ERA and 2.36 WHIP in 9.1 innings, so Tuesday was a rare bright spot. He's fared better on the year with a 4.76 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 51:22 K:BB across 64.1 innings overall, mainly in a multi-inning role.

Santana (2-2) fired a scoreless 10th inning, allowing just a walk to earn the win over the Twins on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Santana entered the bottom of the 10th inning in a tie game with a runner on second. He issued a leadoff walk to Luis Arraez, but retired the next three batters in order to keep the game tied. The Royals scored two in the 11th inning to give Santana the win. The 38-year-old has a 4.70 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 46 strikeouts in 59.1 innings this season.

Santana (1-2) took the loss Wednesday versus Cleveland, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk with one strikeout in one inning.

EDGE Analysis

Higher-leverage relievers Josh Staumont and Scott Barlow had already pitched, and Santana allowed Cleveland to scrape together a pair of runs in the 11th and take the game. The veteran right-hander has had few poor outings of late, as this was just the second time in his last 12 appearances he's allowed runs to score. Santana owns a 4.50 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 44:17 K:BB across 56 innings this season, mainly as a multi-inning reliever.

Santana (1-1) struck out two across two perfect innings to earn the win Thursday versus Seattle.

EDGE Analysis

Starter Brad Keller exited early with a shoulder injury with Kansas City behind, but the team pulled ahead in the sixth inning. Santana was awarded the win officially after strong work in the seventh and eighth innings. He's been excellent in August, allowing just one run on seven hits and three walks while dialing up 13 strikeouts in 15.1 innings. The veteran right-hander now has a 4.42 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 43:16 K:BB across 55 innings overall.

Santana allowed two hits and struck out two in three scoreless innings during Sunday's 7-2 loss to St. Louis.

EDGE Analysis

The 38-year-old logged the most innings of any of Kansas City's six pitchers in the contest after a terrible start from Kris Bubic. Santana's workload has ticked up in August, and he's allowed just one run in his last 9.1 innings while scattering six hits and a walk with seven strikeouts. For the year, he has a 4.96 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 37:14 K:BB in 49 innings of mainly low-leverage work.

Santana has pitched just five times since the start of July, allowing nine runs in 5.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

The 38-year-old's recent work has given manager Mike Matheny little reason to trust him, but Santana has still seen an unusually light workload. The veteran right-hander allowed a walk in a scoreless inning Sunday versus Toronto. It was the first time he didn't allow a run since June 18. He's pitched to a 5.75 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 31:14 K:BB through 40.2 innings this year, mainly in a low-leverage role.

Santana allowed three runs on four hits and a walk with two strikeouts in 1.2 innings in a 14-6 loss to Cleveland on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Santana has struggled since the start of June, posting a 7.97 ERA and 1.48 WHIP across his last 20.1 innings spanning 10 appearances. He's only kept opponents off the scoreboard in three of those outings. The bulk reliever has a 5.67 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 30:13 K:BB across 39.2 innings overall.

Santana allowed three runs on three hits and a walk with three strikeouts over 3.1 innings in Saturday's 8-0 loss to Texas.

EDGE Analysis

Kyle Zimmer threw a scoreless inning as the opener Saturday, but Kris Bubic struggled in the second and couldn't complete the frame. Santana's lone mistake was a three-run home run to Joey Gallo in the fourth. Through 15.2 innings in June, Santana has allowed 10 runs, 12 hits and five walks while striking out 14. He's yielded four homers this month and has now allowed seven long balls for the year. The right-hander owns a 4.37 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 26:10 K:BB across 35 innings overall as a bulk reliever.

Santana allowed three runs on four hits and struck out three over four innings in Monday's 10-3 loss to Detroit.

EDGE Analysis

Santana has filled a flexible bullpen role lately, covering multiple innings in three of his last six outings. The 38-year-old has a 3.99 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 19:7 K:BB across 29.1 innings this season. As long as he's relatively stretched out in his bulk-relief role, he could be a candidate for a spot start should the need arise.