Diamondbacks notes: When is Michael Soroka coming back? Zac Gallen to see Dr. ElAttrache

PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo started his media session on Friday with a CVS receipt of injury updates as the second half of the season gets underway, including more of a specific timeline for starting pitcher Michael Soroka.

Soroka, who went on the injured list on June 20 with a glute strain, is scheduled to throw a bullpen on Saturday, another on Tuesday and then a simulated game on July 25, Lovullo said.

“… Which will get him on a timeline somewhere just around the turn of the calendar month,” Lovullo said.

Soroka is expected to be first among a group of injured starters, and he has had the best season of that bunch, as well. Soroka owns a 3.07 ERA in 15 starts.

Zac Gallen seeing Dr. ElAttrache for 2nd opinion

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Starting pitcher Zac Gallen will seek a second opinion from renowned surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Monday to decide on next steps for his recovery. The D-backs put Gallen on the IL for right elbow inflammation last weekend.

Lovullo suggested that surgery was not being considered at this time.

“I think it’s to appropriately, in my opinion, map out the right strategy for his return, timeline for his return,” Lovullo said. “From everything that I’ve been told, it’s going to be a more conservative approach and not something that’s going to be invasive. I think the second opinion on Monday will give us a little bit more of what his comfort level is to start his throwing program, if that’s what’s suggested.”

Lovullo did not have a guess as to what Gallen’s timeline is until he receives that second opinion.

Tommy Troy out ‘weeks’

Diamondbacks outfielder Tommy Troy is expected to miss three to four weeks with a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder, Lovullo said.

Troy suffered the injury running into the center field wall to make a catch at Dodger Stadium on Saturday.

Injury notes on Justin Martinez, Corbin Burnes

• Reliever Justin Martinez (Tommy John surgery rehab) has thrown 15 bullpens and will face live hitters on Saturday.
• Corbin Burnes (teres major strain) threw out to 75 feet as he continues his throwing program. His MRI from last week showed significant healing.
• Reliever Andrew Saalfrank (shoulder surgery) started his throwing program, tossing out to 60 feet. Saalfrank underwent surgery ahead of spring training. He was considered out for the season, and it is unclear whether anything has changed on that front.
• Outfielder Jordan Lawlar, starting pitcher Ryne Nelson and reliever A.J. Puk underwent MRIs on Friday, but Lovullo did not have their results by the time he spoke before Friday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals.

When pitchers return from the IL could play a vital role in how the D-backs approach the trade deadline — along with the club’s performance over these next two weeks — as general manager Mike Hazen and team president and CEO Derrick Hall told Arizona Sports this week.

“I’m hopeful the group is all coming back to us at some point within the next month or so, differing timeframes on all of those guys,” Hazen told Wolf & Luke. “That’s going to change our profile dramatically without us doing anything at the deadline.”

“We’ve got to get these guys healthy; those are like acquisitions,” Hall told Bickley & Marotta. “But when they come back, it’s not like they’re going to be lights out right away. These guys need a couple of games to get back in the groove.”

Who is starting this weekend for the Diamondbacks?

(Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images)

The Diamondbacks shuffled their banged-up starting rotation to open the second half, starting Friday night against the Cardinals.

Merrill Kelly will take the Diamondbacks into the post-All-Star break portion of the schedule, a critical stretch to determine what happens at the Aug. 3 trade deadline.

Brandon Pfaadt will take the second game of the series, and Eduardo Rodriguez will pitch the finale. Rodriguez started last Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he made a brief and effective appearance in the All-Star Game, pitching a 1-2-3 inning.

From there, the Diamondbacks plan to give rookie Mitch Bratt another look on Monday against the Athletics, while Tuesday is to be determined.

“There’s a few guys we’re considering,” Lovullo said. “We build it out for the next five days and then the next 10 days and then the next 15 days. … There’s more to it against the future teams.”

Arizona plays 13 games in 13 days out of the break, as well, which eliminates the possibility of using an off day to reset.

The Cardinals are in the Diamondbacks’ way to climbing back into the postseason picture. Arizona entered Friday 2.5 games back of the third NL Wild Card, with the Cardinals 1.5 games up on the Diamondbacks.

Weekend probables:

Friday: RHP Michael McGreevy (4-7, 3.01 ERA) vs. RHP Merrill Kelly (7-8, 5.38 ERA)

Saturday: RHP Dustin May (5-6, 4.55 ERA) vs. RHP Brandon Pfaadt (3-1, 4.70 ERA)

Sunday: RHP Andre Pallante (10-6, 3.96 ERA) vs. LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (8-3, 2.29 ERA)

Tyler Locklear returns

The Diamondbacks officially welcomed Tyler Locklear back to the roster for the first time since he suffered both elbow and shoulder injuries last September.

Arizona traded for Locklear at the deadline last summer, and he received an opportunity at first base before his injuries.

“It’s just good to be back,” Locklear said. “I’ll try to do my part whenever my name is called, and we’ll try to make a push. … Definitely a little more comfortable (than last season), seeing a bunch of familiar faces, not trying to learn everybody’s name again. Just having spring training time to know everybody, it makes it a little easier walking into the clubhouse.”

Locklear is coming off a Pacific Coast League Player of the Week honor. He was not in the lineup on Friday.

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