SIOUX CITY, IA – The Lincoln Saltdogs announced today that they have activated infielder Tommy Mendonca from the Disabled List and sent pitcher Carlos Pimentel to the DL.
Mendonca (men-DOHN-suh) missed spring training and the first series of the year because he was finishing his degree at Fresno State University. He will make his Saltdogs debut against his former team, the Sioux City Explorers.
The Saltdogs acquired the veteran in a trade with Sioux City on March 15, 2017. The former 2nd round draft pick spent the past three seasons with the X’s and is sixth in franchise history for career doubles, eighth in career RBIs and 10th in career hits.
In 2016, Mendonca led the division-rival X’s in home runs (eight) and walks (56) while placing second on the team in RBIs (61). He played in 97 out of 100 games. In just over three seasons of Independent baseball, the lefty is hitting .271 with 14 home runs and 165 RBIs.
Mendonca spent parts of five seasons in affiliated minor league baseball. He reached Triple-A with Round Rock, a Rangers affiliate, where he hit .208 with seven home runs over 63 games. His best statistical year was in 2011 when he recorded a .278 average and clubbed 25 homers while appearing in 125 games with the RoughRiders. Mendonca was named a Texas Rangers Organizational All-Star while also earning mid-season and post-season All-Star honors from the Texas League.
Mendonca spent three seasons playing for Fresno State University in the WAC. His college career is marked by leading the Bulldogs to an improbable College World Series Championship in 2008. He was named Most Outstanding Player in the CWS for his record-tying four home runs in Omaha and his clutch defensive plays at 3rd base. He played the entire postseason with two dislocated fingers that caused him to need to adjust his throwing motion and bat grip.
He helped Team USA to a 25-0 record and the Gold Medal in the 2008 World University Championships.
Mendonca built on his postseason success from ’08 to record an outstanding junior campaign. The slugger bombed 27 home runs, the second most in school history, knocked in 78 runs while hitting a scorching .339. His OBP was .450 and his slugging percentage was .721.
The California native holds the Fresno State career home run record with 56 blasts, nine more than the second place hitter. He is third on the career RBI list with 185.
Pimentel started one game for the Saltdogs. The right-hander earned the win in the Saltdogs first victory of the season. He lasted six innings and surrendered just one run while striking out nine Kansas City T-Bones.
The Saltdogs are in action this morning at Sioux City with first pitch at 11:05 AM.
The home opener for the Lincoln Saltdogs is Thursday, May 25th at Haymarket Park against the Cleburne Railroaders. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling (402) 474-2255 or visiting Saltdogs.com. For the latest information on the Saltdogs follow the team on Facebook and Twitter/Instagram @saltdogsball.