Arizona Diamondbacks were dealt a concerning blow during their clash against the San Diego Padres, as ace Zac Gallen was forced to exit early following an on-field incident.
What happened to Zac Gallen?
Gallen’s outing in Mexico City took a worrying turn in the third inning when he was struck by a 92 mph comebacker off the bat of Freddy Fermin. The line drive made direct contact with his throwing shoulder, immediately raising concerns among teammates and staff.
Despite the impact, Gallen initially stayed in the game after a discussion with trainers and manager Torey Lovullo. Showing resilience, he completed the inning and retired the side without allowing further damage before being taken out as a precautionary measure.
Early signs offer some optimism
Before his exit, Gallen had been in complete control on the mound. The 30-year-old allowed just one hit while striking out three batters across three scoreless innings, continuing his strong form.
Following his departure, Brandon Pfaadt stepped in and maintained the momentum with a clean inning, as Arizona held a comfortable lead.
The team later confirmed that Zac Gallen sustained a right shoulder contusion, and further evaluation is expected to determine the severity of the injury.
Rotation depth under pressure
Gallen’s health carries significant weight for Arizona, especially given the team’s growing injury concerns. The Arizona Diamondbacks are already without key contributors, including Gabriel Moreno, Carlos Santana, and Jordan Lawlar.
Compounding the issue is the absence of Corbin Burnes, who continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery. With limited reinforcements available, Gallen has emerged as the cornerstone of the pitching rotation.
If he is forced to miss time, the responsibility will shift to arms like Ryne Nelson, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Michael Soroka, while Merrill Kelly continues his return from injury.
What’s next for the Arizona Diamondbacks?
Arizona is expected to provide a clearer update once Zac Gallen undergoes additional testing. If the injury proves minor, there remains hope he could make his next scheduled start.
With the Diamondbacks locked in a competitive NL West race, Gallen’s status could play a pivotal role in shaping their trajectory over the coming weeks.