D-backs option Yilber Diaz, Cristian Mena to Triple-A

Flush with starting pitching talent, the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday optioned two of their promising young starters, righties Yilber Diaz and Cristian Mena, to Triple-A Reno.

The roster moves also sent infielder Tim Tawa to Triple-A, with nine others reassigned to minor league camp, including MLB Pipeline’s No. 10-ranked prospect, LuJames Groover.

Diaz is the No. 5 prospect in the D-backs’ farm, according to MLB Pipeline, while Mena is No. 13.

Diaz made his MLB debut last year due to injuries, allowing 12 earned runs over 28.1 innings with 19 strikeouts and 12 walks over seven total games (four starts).

In the minors, the 24-year-old split his season in Double-A Amarillo and Triple-A, posting a 3.22 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 50.1 frames in the latter.

Mena likewise made his first appearance in the majors last season due to injuries to Arizona’s starters, allowing four earned runs in 3.0 innings of a single start.

D-backs optioned to Triple-A Reno:

RHP Yilber Díaz
RHP Cristian Mena
INF Tim Tawa

Diamondbacks reassigned to minor league camp:

RHP Kyle Amendt
LHP Kyle Backhus
RHP Christian Montes de Oca
RHP Listher Sosa
C Christian Cerda
INF Tristan English
INF LuJames Groover
OF Kristian Robinson
OF A.J. Vukovich

Related

Who is rising and falling in the D-backs' MLB Pipeline prospect rankings?MLB Pipeline: D-backs' Druw Jones is the best defender among top prospects in MLBDiamondbacks will not make a trade that leads to luxury tax penaltiesDiamondbacks going back to closer-by-matchupsDiamondbacks lean on brilliant Eduardo Rodriguez effort to win key series over PiratesIs Paul Sewald on the closer hot seat for the Diamondbacks?