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Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen (23) walks back to the mound after giving up a a hit against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field in Phoenix, on June 3, 2026. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks’ starting rotation has lost another arm, with the club placing right-hander Zac Gallen on the injured list Sunday afternoon.
While Gallen’s placement dominated the conversation, so did what it means for a club already battling injuries and how his 2026 season has unfolded. It hasn’t been easy, and fans know that all too well.
Gallen was scratched from his scheduled Sunday outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers, meaning the right-hander will enter the All-Star break with a 6.34 ERA — one of the highest among qualified starters in baseball. For a pitcher who finished in the top three of National League Cy Young Award voting just three years ago, it’s been a stunning decline.
But regardless of how Gallen was pitching, his latest injury hurts an already depleted rotation.
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May 12, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen (23) waits in the dugout during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images
He becomes the third established Diamondbacks starter currently sidelined, joining Ryne Nelson and Michael Soroka. That leaves the club, already fighting to stay in the postseason picture, leaning even more on its organizational depth.
Even if Gallen wasn’t performing to expectations, the D-Backs still knew they had a veteran capable of eating innings. They also hoped he could rediscover the form that made him one of baseball’s most reliable starters.
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May 29, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen (23) pitches to the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Arizona recalled Mitch Bratt to take Gallen’s place as Sunday’s starter. Bratt made his major league debut June 24 against the St. Louis Cardinals. Now, he won’t just be tasked with taking the mound against the reigning World Series champions — he’ll also be asked to help keep Arizona afloat as it looks to pick up one more win before the All-Star break.
That’s what makes this latest injury so important. The Snakes built organizational depth to withstand injuries, but now they are being forced to rely on it. With Gallen joining Nelson, Soroka and Corbin Burnes — who remains sidelined with his own injury — Arizona’s margin for error has become even thinner.
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Apr 12, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen (23) looks on after leaving the game against the Philadelphia Phillies in the sixth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Sunday’s matchup and coming out of the break will show just how much this rotation can withstand. For a team with postseason aspirations, the challenge is no longer just waiting for its top arms to return.
It’s finding a way to stay competitive until they do.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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