PHOENIX -- Before his 2026 season could ever really get out of the starting blocks, Cristian Mena has seen it likely come to a close. The D-backs’ No. 11 prospect is set to undergo shoulder surgery in the coming days, a procedure that manager Torey Lovullo admitted is likely to knock him out for the rest of the year.
It’s been an arduous road back to the mound for one of the D-backs’ prized pitching prospects. Mena last appeared in game action last June 6, working an inning out of the club’s bullpen, before landing on the injured list with a right shoulder strain the following day. Five days prior -- one year ago to the day -- he picked up his first Major League win after tossing a pair of scoreless innings against the Nationals.
Mena had begun a throwing program in late April but was again shut down after experiencing discomfort. Lovullo admitted it had “been a little bit of a grind for him” as Mena worked his way back, ultimately leading to the decision to undergo surgery.
COMPLETE D-BACKS PROSPECT COVERAGE
Injuries have caused a recent seesawing effect on the Dominican Republic native, who also dealt with a right forearm strain in late 2024 that ended his year prematurely. Prior to that, he worked back-to-back campaigns of 100+ frames as a member of the White Sox organization before coming to Arizona in exchange for outfielder Dominic Fletcher in February 2024.
Coming into 2026, the D-backs believed that despite getting Major League cameos in ‘25 as a reliever, Mena’s future was in the starting rotation. While time is still on Mena’s side to eventually emerge as a big league pitcher -- he’ll turn just 24 years old this offseason -- his injury history may have a more decisive say on what his role will emerge as.
While no two pitchers are exactly alike, the D-backs have seen a blueprint of rehab success before. When Justin Martinez underwent Tommy John surgery in 2021 as a 19-year-old starting pitcher with a 6.55 ERA at Single-A, he returned as a fireballing reliever who struck out 62 batters in 38 innings in his first full year out of the bullpen. Now, Martinez -- who is only just over a year older than Mena -- is viewed as a premium back-end of the bullpen asset.
Mena’s best offering has long been his curveball, a power offering that displays downer action and dives below opposing bats. While he’s traditionally sat in the 93-96 mph range with his four-seam and sinking fastball, he’s been able to flirt with 98 in the past while generating above-average extension rates. Those offerings alone -- and how they respond once he’s able to return to mound -- still give Mena ingredients to capitalize on his tantalizing upside.