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Diamondbacks’ Zac Gallen scratched from Dodgers start due to elbow injury
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- Diamondbacks’ Zac Gallen scratched from Dodgers start due to elbow injury
Diamondbacks' Zac Gallen scratched from Dodgers start due to elbow injury appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Arizona Diamondbacks suffered another setback to their starting rotation on Saturday after right-hander Zac Gallen was scratched from his scheduled start against the Los Angeles Dodgers because of right elbow inflammation.
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Manager Torey Lovullo announced that Gallen was sent back to Arizona for imaging, with the pitcher expected to be placed on the 15-day injured list. Left-handed rookie Mitch Bratt joined the team from Triple-A Reno to replace Gallen in the series finale before the All-Star break.
Although Gallen has slumped throughout 2026, he had remained one of Arizona's most durable starters. The 30-year-old made all 19 of his starts this season, logging 98 innings, the second-highest total on the team. However, his results have declined, as he owns a 6.34 ERA, the highest among qualified major league starters, along with a 5.32 FIP. His advanced metrics have also been poor, including a 6.49 expected ERA, while his xFIP and SIERA both sit near 5.00.
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Gallen's strikeout production has fallen dramatically. He owns a career-low 13.9% strikeout rate and 5.60 strikeouts per nine innings after never posting a strikeout rate below 21% during his previous seven MLB seasons. Opponents are batting .331 with a .545 slugging percentage against his four-seam fastball, while both his curveball and slider carry a minus-7 Run Value according to Statcast. His overall minus-19 Run Value ranks as the fourth worst among qualified pitchers. He has also surrendered a career-high 1.65 home runs per nine innings and owns a 9.00 ERA in the first inning, the second highest in baseball.
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Gallen's most recent outing came against the San Diego Padres , when he allowed four runs over six innings while losing his fourth consecutive start. His four-seam fastball averaged 92.7 mph in that game, down from his 93.4 mph season average.
The injury weakens an already depleted Diamondbacks rotation. Corbin Burnes remains on the 60-day injured list following Tommy John surgery and a teres major strain, while Ryne Nelson is dealing with a right flexor strain and UCL sprain. Michael Soroka 's recovery from a left glute strain has also slowed after his latest bullpen session was postponed, leaving no timetable for his return.
Arizona's rotation is currently expected to feature Eduardo Rodriguez , Merrill Kelly , Brandon Pfaadt , Jose Cabrera and Bratt, although Cabrera was optioned to the minors earlier in the week and will not be eligible to return immediately after the All-Star break. Only three weeks ago, Pfaadt, Cabrera and Bratt were all pitching at Triple-A.
Bratt will be making the second appearance of his major league career after allowing one run across three innings against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 24. Acquired from the Texas Rangers in last year's Merrill Kelly trade, the left-hander owns a 2.41 ERA with a 25.2% strikeout rate over 13 starts for Triple-A Reno this soptions
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In spite of the growing list of injuries, Diamondbacks starters have thrown 518 2/3 innings this season, the second-highest in the National League behind only the Dodgers, making the team increasingly reliant on its remaining depth options.
Related: 1 trade Diamondbacks must not make at 2026 MLB trade deadline
