Zac Gallen moving to bullpen role, as Michael Soroka wins final rotation spot

PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo announced that Michael Soroka will start Tuesday’s game against the Miami Marlins, bumping Zac Gallen to a long relief role.

With Corbin Burnes back in the mix and starting on Monday, the D-backs had to decide how to handle their final rotation spot between a longtime franchise face having his worst season versus someone who has simply been much sharper all year.

Gallen and Soroka returned from the injured list on Wednesday and piggybacked against the Kansas City Royals, with the former starting the game.

Gallen’s 3.1 innings and one earned run look better on the surface than Soroka’s four innings and three earned runs, but Soroka drew weaker contact and was much more efficient. Gallen hardly threw any fastballs (13%) during the outing.

For the season, Gallen owns a 6.22 ERA in 101.1 innings and Soroka a 3.53 ERA in 99.1 innings.

“It was probably Michael Soroka and his ability to go out there and command the baseball and create swing-and-miss. That, to me, is what won the race,” Lovullo said. “Michael’s been a little healthier version as of late. Michael had a little less time down, and I just feel like Mike, at this time, is going to give us the best chance to win a baseball game.”

Lovullo said he had a lengthy conversation about the decision with Gallen, whom he claimed took it OK.

“He understood. He didn’t like it … and we’re going to work through this the best way we know how with Zac, but he took it well enough,” Lovullo said.

Gallen has made 196 starts throughout his career with no relief appearances.

The Diamondbacks’ bullpen has been a strength of the team all year, and Ryne Nelson is set to return imminently after delivering 34 pitches in 1.2 innings for Triple-A Reno on Saturday.

Burnes and Soroka are still building up their pitch counts. Lovullo previously mentioned Burnes will be up to 65-70 pitches next time out, while Soroka is closer to 75-80.

The Diamondbacks have to tighten up for the final two weeks with a playoff spot on the line.

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