ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

D-backs push back Zac Gallen’s 1st start due to ‘freak household accident’

Apr 12, 2022, 4:47 PM | Updated: 5:30 pm
Starting pitcher Zac Gallen #23 of the Arizona Diamondbacks walks to the dugout after being pulled ...
Starting pitcher Zac Gallen #23 of the Arizona Diamondbacks walks to the dugout after being pulled from game following an RBI double by Austin Barnes of the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 13, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

PHOENIX — Zac Gallen’s first start of the year for the Arizona Diamondbacks has been pushed back to the New York Mets series, manager Torey Lovullo said pregame on Monday.

The right-hander was scheduled to start against the Houston Astros on Tuesday, but was scratched on Monday due to a small cut on his thumb.

“It was just a freak household accident where he just pinched his finger, his thumb in an electrical box,” Lovullo said. “Think it was spring-loaded, got him, just pinched the portion of his pad and his thumb and he’s healing day by day.

“We feel like it’s something we’re going to push back as long as we can to let that thing heal so it doesn’t bother him the whole year. I don’t think it will no matter what. I feel he could pitch right now, but we just want to be extra sure and make sure that skin is healed up and taken care of.”

The D-backs host the Astros for a two-game series before heading out east to play the Mets at Citi Field in a three-game weekend series from Friday to Sunday.

Lovullo mentioned that the Diamondbacks are thinking about slotting Gallen in behind Zach Davies, which would make Saturday the target date for his first start. However, the D-backs manager added that nothing has been finalized yet.

INJURED LIST UPDATE

Lovullo said the findings of Weaver’s MRI revealed a mild flexor-pronator strain in his right elbow and the right-hander will not throw a baseball for seven to 10 days.

“We feel like with Luke speaking up, we dodged a potential bullet,” Lovullo said. “There’s going to be a period of time down for him. We don’t know how long it’ll be, but I think it’ll involve rest for the next several days.”

Weaver was placed on the 10-day IL on Sunday due to right elbow inflammation retroactive to April 8.

The D-backs host the Astros at Chase Field at 6:40 p.m. on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station, with Arizona’s Madison Bumgarner starting against Houston’s Luis Garcia.

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