Zac Gallen (elbow) pitches in bridge camp game

It’s technically a bridge league game in the Arizona Complex League where the Diamondbacks have control over the environment. Technically, it won’t be a minor league rehab start, but both Burnes and Gallen should be able to get their work in. Burnes is aiming for 25 pitches over one inning, while Gallen is targeting up to 50 pitches over three innings, per Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo. It seems like both starters have a chance to make it back during the final month of the season, which would provide a lift for Arizona’s rotation mix that just lost Michael Soroka to a shoulder issue.

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.

Gallen will get a second opinion from Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Monday to map out a timeline for his return to the mound. Things could obviously change in the coming weeks, but it sounds like the Diamondbacks are holding out hope that Gallen can avoid surgery and return to action at some point before the end of the 2026 season.

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.