D-backs’ Zac Gallen to make spring training debut Wednesday vs. Rockies
Mar 29, 2022, 3:43 PM | Updated: 4:18 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen looks at a new ball after giving up a home run to San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
MESA — Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen is expected to make his spring training debut on Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies.
Gallen’s status has been up in the air this spring after dealing with shoulder issues this offseason.
Manager Torey Lovullo added while on with Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo that Gallen is feeling good and his stuff is “coming out hot” as he continues to ramp back up for the season.
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As far as Gallen’s potential availability for Opening Day? Lovullo doesn’t want to put anything in concrete just yet.
“I know I was a little misleading several days ago but I do feel like tomorrow’s an important outing for him to get out there and get that pitch count to 45 pitches,” Lovullo said. “We’ll evaluate him and make sure everything’s OK and then we’ll keep moving forward with him.
“I don’t want to put a timeline of when or what’s going to happen or how it’s going to happen, but I think there’s enough time for him to get built back up and be ready.”
If Gallen in fact cannot go on Opening Day, Arizona will likely turn to starter Madison Bumgarner in the team’s season opener against the San Diego Padres on April 7.
Over 23 starts last season (121.1 innings pitched), Gallen finished with a 4-10 record to go along with a 4.30 ERA and a career-high 130 strikeouts as the D-backs tied the Baltimore Orioles for the worst record in baseball.
