Tony

Peña

Rosario is just 18, but he might not be far away from the majors. He allowed two runs in five innings this spring.

According to the documents, the real Adriano Rosario is Pena’s nephew. The Diamondbacks have yet to confirm the news, which would make the right-hander 32 months older than his listed age. Rosario/Pena throws in the mid-90s and has four pitches, so he’d be a prospect if he were 32.

The rookie struck out four batters, allowing two hits and a walk, while lowering his ERA back down to 3.00. Pena has closer potential, so watch him closely.

Pena entered a 5-1 game with the bases loaded and two outs. He promptly gave up an infield single to Geoff Blum and walked Mike Piazza before striking out Mark Bellhorn to give Arizona a 5-3 win. It wasn’t exactly a performance to remember, but Pena could be a candidate for more saves if Jorge Julio continues to struggle.

Pena was limited to just 17 appearances with the White Sox last season before undergoing Tommy John surgery on August 31. That the Angels signed him is a good sign that he is coming all well in his rehab.

Alberto Castillo drove in Victor Diaz in the fifth, and a second run scored in the sixth after Pena left. Pena, who missed most of the minor league season after it was revealed he was using false identity papers, has allowed four runs in 11 innings for Cibao. He’s still quite a prospect even though he’s 2 1/2 years older than originally believed.

Pena was limited to just 17 appearances this season due to an elbow injury, and although doctors have recommended Tommy John surgery, he’s yet to undergo the procedure. With his health in question and performance in recent years on the decline, his future is up in the air.

“He’s a guy we’re not going to count on being 100 percent when spring training begins,” Dipoto told the Orange County Register. Pena had Tommy John elbow surgery in August 2011 and hasn’t fully recovered.

Pena had Tommy John surgery in August of 2011 and hasn’t thrown since suffering a setback this past October. The 31-year-old right-hander will not start the season on time.