Santiago's out pitch is a dominant sinkerball. The native of Fajardo, Puerto Rico, missed most of the 1999 season with a shoulder injury. Phillies scout Gordon Lakey said Santiago has been consistently throwing 94 mph recently and recommended the swap. Santiago is a bonafide, durable, experienced reliever used to that role. Bowa's only recollection of Santiago from his American League days was one game last year where Santiago struck out five consecutive Mariners.
Reports indicate Santiago loses effectiveness when working from the stretch.
Ricky Bottalico highly endorses his former Royals teammate. He'll keep you in games. He is fine as long as he keeps out of the top of the zone. Gomes thinks he will be back much sooner than originally expected. It's been almost a miraculous recovery.