D-backs’ Zac Gallen scratched from start due to right forearm soreness

MESA — Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen was scratched from Monday’s spring start due to right lateral forearm soreness, manager Torey Lovullo said.

“It’s not the news you want to hear,” Lovullo said. “You want to start having guys prep and get ready for the season. I’m not going to sugarcoat it and say that it’s OK. … It’s not anything I was prepared to hear today.”

Gallen is still being evaluated. He underwent an MRI on Sunday and had a CT scan and an X-ray on Monday, the pitcher said. He added he’s feeling physically OK, but it’s mentally tougher.

“We’re coming down into the home stretch here getting ready for the season, so it just kind of stinks to hear that I was going to get scratched,” Gallen said.

“Mentally is probably the tougher part because you want to go out there and be on the mound as much as physically possible.”

In four spring starts, Gallen has recorded a 2.13 ERA, allowing just three runs and four walks across 12.2 innings.

The righty said the soreness began in batting practice a few days before his last start. Of his pitches, Gallen only feels the soreness on his curveball, calling it “annoying” and “lingering.”

“I don’t think we have all the information, so it’s tough to say, but I think it’s definitely a positive that I’ve pitched with it, pitched in two games now,” Gallen said. The rest of my stuff has felt fine.”

Follow @rachelgossen