The move back to Triple-A comes after Mena struggled in his big league debut Wednesday night. He allowed four runs in three innings, but all four runs came in the first inning. In a corresponding move, Joe Jacques was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Thursday.
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Diamondbacks' Cristian Mena: Struggles in debut
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Mena did not factor into the decision in a win over the Dodgers on Wednesday, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks over three innings while striking out two.
Mena got off to a brutal start, allowing the first two batters to reach before surrendering back-to-back home runs in the opening frame. The right-hander then hurled two scoreless frames before being relieved by Bryce Jarvis to open the fourth, though the former also issued two walks over that final stretch, in addition to being charged with a balk. It was an uninspiring debut for the 21-year-old Mena, though perhaps Arizona will take it with a grain of salt considering the lineup he was up against in his first major-league start.
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Diamondbacks' Cristian Mena: Recalled ahead of start Wednesday
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The Diamondbacks recalled Mena from Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.
Mena was in the Diamondbacks' clubhouse Tuesday, and manager Torey Lovullo noted that the right-hander, if officially called up, would deserve the opportunity to start Wednesday, per PHNX Diamondbacks. Mena was part of the package acquired by the Diamondbacks from the White Sox in the Dominic Fletcher trade in February. Mena has spent the entire year in Reno, and over his 16 minor-league starts, the 21-year-old is 3-2 with a 4.90 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 89:38 K:BB over 82.2 innings. He will make his major-league debut Wednesday on the road against the Dodgers.
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Diamondbacks' Cristian Mena: Likely starter for Wednesday
Rotowire
Mena has joined the Diamondbacks' taxi squad and appears in line to make his major-league debut Wednesday against the Dodgers, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Manager Torey Lovullo acknowledged Mena's presence in the clubhouse Tuesday and said that "if that does come up [Wednesday], [Mena] deserves the opportunity," per PHNX Diamondbacks. Mena is a 21-year-old right-hander who was traded to Arizona over the winter. He has spent the entire 2024 season to date with Triple-A Reno, posting a 4.90 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 89:38 K:BB over 82.2 innings spanning 16 starts. A road matchup against the Dodgers represents a tough landing spot, and most will want to wait and see how the youngster fares before considering him for a fantasy roster.
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Diamondbacks' Cristian Mena: Sent to minor-league camp
Rotowire
Mena was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.
Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen said in early February that Mena is "not a finished product" and was likely to begin the campaign at Triple-A, so this move was to be expected. The 21-year-old spent most of 2023 at Double-A Birmingham and had a 4.66 ERA and 1.35 WHIP over 114 innings, but he showcased his strikeout potential with a 10.7 K/9.
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Diamondbacks' Cristian Mena: Needs finishing
Rotowire
Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said Mena is "not a finished product" and is expected to start the season at Triple-A Reno, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
Hazen said the right-handed Mena's slider and curveball are "really good," adding that the pitcher has a "decent" changeup. "We felt like this was an opportunity for us to add a really young starting pitcher, already been to Triple-A, and we think he has really good stuff," the GM said. What the organization will be looking for when spring training opens is an increase in velocity, as well as a refinement of all offerings and development of pitch sequencing. Mena, who turned 21 in December, made four starts at the Triple-A level while with the White Sox organization in 2023.
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Diamondbacks' Cristian Mena: Dealt to D-backs
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The White Sox traded Mena to the Diamondbacks in exchange for Dominic Fletcher on Saturday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Since his promotion to Double-A in 2022, Mena has struggled to find his footing in the minor leagues. He managed a 4.66 ERA and 1.35 WHIP across 23 starts in Double-A last season and surrendered 13 runs in 19.2 frames upon arriving in Triple-A. Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said Mena will likely begin 2024 at Triple-A Reno and could be a rotation option later in the year, per Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. The 21-year-old right-hander will need to show significant improvement before joining the Diamondbacks' rotation -- a task that may prove difficult in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.
The White Sox selected Mena to their 40-man roster Tuesday, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.
Mena is now protected from next month's Rule 5 Draft. He held a 4.85 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 156:64 K:BB in 133.2 innings this past season between Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte.
