The Monarchs added RHP Justin Donatella on July 13th after placing RHP Jose Taveras on the disasbled list. The right-hander had last pitched with Triple-A Reno in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ organization where he posted a 8.80 ERA in 15 ⅓ innings. Donatella, 26, was a 15th round pick of the Diamondbacks back in 2015 out of the University of California, San Diego. 

Donatella spent six seasons in Arizona’s organization — fluctuating between Rookie ball and Triple-A. His best season came in 2016 when the righty split time in A-ball and High-A. Over 27 starts, Donatella posted a career-high in wins (13), innings (145), and strikeouts (111). 

In 2018, at the age of 23, Donatella turned in another solid season at Double-A Jackson in the Southern League. He made 24 starts and produced a 3.46 ERA in 130 innings. 

While at UC San Diego, Donatella won 18 games and showcased a sub-3 ERA in his final two seasons with the Tritons.