D-backs activate Zac Gallen, start him versus K.C.

Gallen was just mopping up, but he did okay in that role, allowing only two hard-hit balls and striking out two. It was Gallen’s first ever relief appearance after 196 starts as a major leaguer. He might get a start next week if the D-backs fall out of the Wild Card race, a scenario which seems unfortunately likely at the moment.

Lovullo also noted that veteran right-hander Zac Gallen will be moved to the team’s bullpen to free up a spot in the rotation for Soroka. The 29-year-old hurler has pitched well in 19 appearances (18 starts) this season, posting a 3.53 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and a 95/25 K/BB ratio over 99 1/3 innings of work.

Gallen pitched fine here given the circumstances, he just wasn’t particularly on point. He heavily leaned into his slider given that it was the only pitch he could confidently command in the zone which helped him stay away from his fastball. That pitch has gotten crushed all season and came in two ticks slower than its average velocity, so it made sense that he shied away from it. The only earned run he let up came via a long home run to Carter Jensen on a slider that hung, which is the game a pitcher plays when they’re so in-zone-slider dependent. Similar to Corbin Burnes yesterday, Gallen returned after throwing one short rehab outing at Triple-A followed by about a 50 pitches appearance in a Bridge League game last week. He’s lined up for what’s likely to be another abbreviated outing at home against the Marlins next week.

The plan is for both of them to throw about four innings and 60 pitches. If those outings go well, that could set one or both of them up to be options to return from the injured list next week in Kansas City.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Gallen was sitting in the low-to-mid 90’s with his fastball. He figures to make at least one traditional minor league rehab start since he isn’t eligible to come off the 60-day injured list until September 7. He’s been out with elbow inflammation since early July.

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.