Pirates' Santana shut down by forearm pain taken at PNC Park (Courtesy of StepOutside.org)

Edgar Santana. - MATT SUNDAY / DKPS

On a staff where even pitching coach Ray Searage is out following neck surgery, what's one more injury?

The Pirates officially added Edgar Santana to their list of wounded, with Neal Huntington announcing Sunday that the right-handed reliever is "probably" done for the season after experiencing "right forearm discomfort" two nights earlier.

Huntington said that no diagnosis has been made and did not discuss what course of action the team might take. Santana told reporters that he's scheduled to undergo an MRI.

"We're continuing to gather information,  whether it's studies or additional doctors visits," the GM said. "As we gain more information, we'll have a clearer picture of where this is going to go."

Huntington often has used the word 'forearm' when describing an issue that later proved to be the dreaded elbow, though the ligaments in that region of the arm are intertwined.

Santana left Friday's game against the Brewers after allowing four runs in a six-run sixth inning.  He didn't record an out and was pulled from the game after grimacing upon throwing a 92 mph to Ryan Braun.

The 26-year-old had been a revelation this season with a 3.26 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 20 holds in 66.1 innings. An extended absence into next season would be a significant loss for the Pirates bullpen. With just seven games remaining it's almost certain he's done for this season.

"At this point in time, the calendar becomes an (issue) and when a player feels something, whether it's a hamstring or ankle, the body needs time to heal," Huntington said. "As we sit here today, we're going to give Edgar some time to heal."

Santana becomes the latest pitcher to go down with injury this week, joining starter Joe Musgrove, who was shutdown with a stress reaction on the front of his pelvic bone on Saturday, a day before his scheduled start. On Friday, the team announced that Chad Kuhl underwent Tommy John surgery.

Obviously, the Pirates are hoping that won't be the case with Santana. On Sunday, Clint Hurdle expressed optimism that his pitching staff will get through next week.

"I just kind of just equate it back to the scarecrow in 'The Wizard of Oz:' Keep pushing straw back in them and sending them back out there," Hurdle joked.

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