Cristian Mena’s Possible Return Brings Late-Season Hope for Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ pitching staff has spent much of this season in triage mode, with injuries piling up faster than solutions. Yet, there’s finally a glimmer of good news. According to AZCentral’s Nick Piecoro, one promising young arm could make it back to the mound before the season concludes.
Right-hander Cristian Mena, who impressed in limited action earlier this year, is working toward a return. Mena, just 22 years old and ranked as Arizona’s No. 11 prospect by MLB Pipeline, excelled in a long-relief role before a right shoulder strain landed him on the 15-day injured list on June 7. That injury came after a grueling, rain-soaked game against the Cincinnati Reds — the very outing that sent him to the sidelines.
The setback seemed more serious when the team transferred him to the 60-day IL, and manager Torey Lovullo’s “weeks, not days” comment signaled a lengthy recovery. But over the weekend, Lovullo provided a welcome update: the team believes Mena has enough time to heal, build up, and possibly see game action before season’s end.
“We feel like there’s enough time for him to heal, throw some bullpens, throw some lives, get into some rehab games and then hopefully get back here,” Lovullo told Piecoro.
“If we can get these athletes back on the field, they can go into the offseason knowing they’re healthy and ready for a full spring training. It’s as much about their mindset as their body.”
In his brief 2025 stint, Mena pitched 6.2 innings over three appearances, allowing just one earned run — a solo homer in that fateful rain game — while striking out eight and walking three. His most electric performance came on May 9, when he tossed 3.2 scoreless, hitless innings against the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers.
Mena’s arsenal is headlined by a sharp, breaking curveball, complemented by a mid-90s fastball that scouts believe could still play up with refinement. While he may not single-handedly solve Arizona’s bullpen woes, his return would be a morale boost for a team in need of fresh arms and positive momentum.
For Mena, the goal is clear: finish the year on the mound, enter spring training healthy, and prove that his early flashes of brilliance were just the beginning.
From category Arizona Diamondbacks shirts
⏩ You may also love: Colorado Rockies Shirts
