Zac Gallen's Hamstring Injury Adds to Diamondbacks' Challenges

D-Backs Ace Zac Gallen Hits 15-Day IL with Hamstring Strain

The Arizona Diamondbacks, already struggling in the standings, faced another setback as their ace Zac Gallen suffered a right hamstring injury during Thursday night's game against the New York Mets at Citi Field. After just six pitches, Gallen was forced to leave the game and was subsequently placed on the 15-day injured list. Right-handed pitcher Slade Cecconi has been called up in his place.

Manager Torey Lovullo provided an update on Gallen's condition, stating, "He's gonna get back to Arizona, get evaluated by our team doctors, get in the tube and get an MRI. Then we're gonna find out exactly what it looks like and what type of injury occurred" (via KTAR). The team remains hopeful that Gallen will only miss the minimum 15 days.

Zac Gallen Hamstring Injury Analysis and History

The injury occurred when Gallen threw a pitch and immediately favored his leg, leading to his swift exit from the game with a noticeable limp. This isn’t the first time Gallen has faced hamstring issues; he previously exited an April 26 game against the Seattle Mariners with tightness in the same hamstring but did not go on the IL then. After a brief rest, he returned on May 7 and reported no further issues until now.

Gallen's Perspective

Reflecting on his recurring hamstring problem, Gallen commented, "The one in Seattle was a little bit more minor. This one is mild, I guess. It felt similar to what it did in 2021 (when he missed 15 days with a hamstring strain). I don't really know the scale. I just knew that I just couldn't keep going or I would put the team in jeopardy of not giving them a chance to win" (via MLB.com).

Impact on the Diamondbacks

The D-Backs are already without two key pitchers: Eduardo Rodriguez, sidelined with a lat strain, and Merrill Kelly, dealing with a shoulder issue. Both are on the 60-day injured list and are weeks away from returning. Losing Gallen, who has a career ERA of 3.20 over 725 innings, even for a short period, is a significant blow to a team already stretched thin in pitching depth.

In summary, Zac Gallen's injury compounds the challenges for the Arizona Diamondbacks, who must navigate the next two weeks without their ace, relying on their depth and hoping for a quick recovery for Gallen.