Surgery not being considered for Zac Gallen

Gallen was cleared to resume throwing in late July after hitting the injured list with elbow inflammation just prior to the All-Star break. He’s going to need at least a couple additional weeks to build up his arm strength and pitch count before returning to Arizona’s rotation mix. This is a step in the right direction.

It’s merely a procedural move as Gallen is going to be sidelined until the late stages of the second half due to an elbow injury. The 31-year-old resumed a throwing program last week but remains without a definitive return timeline.

Gallen was given the green light to resume throwing after a visit with specialist Dr. Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo told reporters that Gallen has been throwing for the last couple days. The 30-year-old was shut down to undergo evaluation and imaging after hitting the injured list with elbow inflammation prior to the All-Star break.

Lovullo continued to say, “We’ll just keep putting that off until we get everything complete.” It sounds as if the initial opinion was not great news, but Gallen is doing his due diligence before deciding on a course of treatment. Second opinions can often lead to surgery, which would keep Gallen out for the majority of the 2027 season, but we will wait and see what the results of his additional meetings are.

Gallen was scratched from Sunday’s start against the Dodgers due to the issue with the expectation that he would also be placed on the injured list. The 30-year-old hurler has had an abysmal season for the Diamondbacks, registering a 6.34 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and a 61/31 K/BB ratio over 98 innings of work. There’s no clear timeline for his return.

He’s likely to go on the IL, with Mitch Bratt being called up to start in his place against the Dodgers. Gallen is just 3-9 with a 6.34 ERA through 19 starts this season. He’s been even worse while losing each of his last four starts, posting a 9.67 ERA and striking out just 11 in 22 1/3 innings. He’s on a one-year, $22.05 million contract after struggling to find a multiyear deal in free agency last winter.

Gallen’s woes continued against the Padres on Tuesday. San Diego got to him for four runs in the first inning, including a three-run homer by Jake Cronenworth. He’d settled in to give the Diamondbacks five more scoreless frames, ending his day after six with five strikeouts. The 30-year-old right-hander will take a 6.34 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, and a 61/31 K/BB ratio across 98 innings into a start against the Dodgers in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Gallen getting released by the D-backs when Michael Soroka comes off the IL has to be on the table at this point. He just isn’t showing MLB-quality stuff right now, and there’s nothing to suggest it’s about to change. Through 19 starts, Gallen has given up 116 hits versus 56 strikeouts. He’s surrendered 17 homers in 92 innings. In 2022, he gave up 15 in exactly twice as many innings (184). His velocity hasn’t changed much, so maybe there’s still hope for a turnaround. Still, this is a Triple-A pitcher right now. He’s due to face the Padres next.

Gallen, who failed to strike out a batter on Friday, ran into trouble early in this one. A walk to Yandy Díaz in the first inning was followed by him hitting Jonathan Aranda with a pitch to put runners on first and second. In the next at-bat, Gallen was taken 455 feet to center field by Junior Caminero to give the Rays a 3-1 lead before Gallen could record an out. Gallen would get through the next five innings without allowing a run, but was hit around again in the seventh inning, allowing a solo homer to Cedric Mullins while also giving RBI hits to Días and Aranda. The righty continues to struggle as he now falls to 3-7 on the season and finds himself sitting on a 6.15 ERA at the end of June. He’ll look to turn things around in his next start, which is scheduled for Wednesday against the Giants.

The game will be made up on July 23. Expect Thursday’s scheduled starters — Michael McGreevy and Zac Gallen — to pitch on Friday for their respective ballclubs.