Diamondbacks’ Zac Gallen likely headed to IL with elbow issue

LOS ANGELES — Pitcher Zac Gallen will not make his next start on Sunday for the Arizona Diamondbacks against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Gallen is likely headed to the injured list with right elbow inflammation, manager Torey Lovullo announced on Saturday.

Left-hander Mitch Bratt had a locker in the away clubhouse at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, and Lovullo said Bratt would likely start Sunday’s game against Los Angeles. That will be Arizona’s final game entering the All-Star break.

“We got that news yesterday that he was having a little bit of discomfort, and he was examined and he’s most likely headed to the IL,” Lovullo said, explaining Gallen was sent back to Phoenix.

Gallen has experienced a rough season to this point, but he had been durable. Gallen has made all 19 starts to this point and is second on the club in innings pitched with 98.

 

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The veteran has not been on the injured list since 2024 with a hamstring strain, and the last time he went on the IL for an arm issue was 2021 (elbow sprain).

Gallen re-signed with the Diamondbacks last offseason on a one-year deal to re-enter the free agent market next winter. He has a 6.34 ERA, the highest in baseball, with a 5.32 FIP.

Bratt will make his second major league appearance after giving up one earned run in three innings pitched against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 24. The D-backs acquired Bratt last summer in the Merrill Kelly trade. He owns a 2.41 ERA in Triple-A Reno this season.

The Diamondbacks are going to have to piece together their rotation after the All-Star break with Corbin Burnes, Ryne Nelson, Michael Soroka and now Gallen on the shelf.

Soroka appears to be the first of that group in line, but Lovullo has changed his tune from hoping Soroka could be back around the All-Star break to uncertainty he will return in July.

That leaves the D-backs with All-Star Eduardo Rodriguez, Kelly, Brandon Pfaadt and two open spots. Bratt will make his case to hold onto one of them on Sunday. Jose Cabrera was optioned on Thursday and will not be eligible to return for the fifth start in the rotation after the break, as the minimum days down is 15.

“I feel great knowing that we have depth, and we’re going to be OK with guys getting experience,” Lovullo said. “But it’s nothing that we predicted. It’s the unfortunate part of this game, and everybody has to deal with it.”

The Diamondbacks and Dodgers will wrap up their series and the first half of the season on Sunday at 1:10 p.m. MST on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app. 

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