Shut the Door: Mendez is Back!

Welland, ON – The Welland Jackfish are proud (and slightly terrified) to announce that right-handed pitcher Deivy “Shut The Door, Lock It, Throw Away The Key” Mendez is BACK for the 2026 season.

Standing at 6’4” and built like someone who throws fastballs for fun (because he does), Mendez returns to the Fish after continuing to do what he does best: enter games, ruin plans, and politely escort hitters back to the dugout.

In recent action, Mendez has continued to dominate in high-pressure situations, including playoff appearances where in 2026 he posted a sparkling 2.25 ERA with multiple saves—a stat line that loosely translates to “good luck, everyone else.”

If history tells us anything, it’s this:

• If the game is close… Mendez is coming in.
• If Mendez is coming in… it’s no longer close.
• If you’re holding a bat… we suggest reconsidering your life choices.

“Having Deivy back is huge for us,” said the Jackfish front office while nervously double-checking that the bullpen door still works. “He’s one of the most reliable closers around—and frankly, we enjoy watching grown men guess wrong.”

From San Pedro, Dominican Republic and developed through affiliated pro baseball, Mendez brings a resume that includes time in multiple professional systems and a career built on one simple philosophy: throw strikes, break hearts.

Fans can once again expect ninth-inning drama, fist pumps, and that moment where the FINatics scream...SHUT THE DOOR!

The Jackfish return to The Pond on Saturday, May 16th, as they take on the Guelph Royals. Full Season, Flex and Group Packages are all available now! To learn more or to purchase, visit www.wellandjackfish.com or call 905-735-9834.

About the Welland Jackfish

The Welland Jackfish are a member of Canada’s best league, the Canadian Baseball League. The over 100-year old summer league is one of the oldest baseball leagues in the world, with the league established in 1919, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. The Jackfish are Niagara's Greatest Show and lead the nine-team CBL in attendance with over 70,000 FINatics through the Welland Stadium gates. For more information, visit www.wellandjackfish.com or follow the Jackfish on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @wellandjackfish.