Although many people considered the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2023 National League Pennant run to be a fluke, the team’s exceptional amount of promise was undeniable. Earning a second straight trip to the World Series is obviously a daunting task for this group, but sustained success definitely appears achievable. Needless to say, 2024 is not going as planned for the Snakes.
Few things are breaking right for the slumping Diamondbacks, with Rookie of the Year Corbin Carroll batting a frightening .191, and reliable starting pitcher Merrill Kelly and postseason breakout Alek Thomas both being confined to the injured list. Now, manager Torey Lovullo could lose his trusted ace.
Zac Gallen allowed a base hit to Francisco Lindor and threw just one pitch to DJ Stewart before leaving Thursday’s 3-2 loss against the New York Mets. He was in visible discomfort, suffering yet another right hamstring strain. Panic is bound to be high in the desert.
And the latest update will do little to alleviate fans’ fears. Gallen is returning to Arizona for examination, according to MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert. Lovullo is “going to remain optimistic.” Someone should, at least.
There is no point in predicting a length of absence for Zac Gallen until he undergoes further evaluation, but the right-hander may be giving fans some sort of timetable to visualize following his latest comments. He described the hamstring injury as “mild” compared to the “more minor” one he suffered versus the Seattle Mariners at the end of April. Gallen missed approximately two weeks of action while dealing with the issue.
Diamondbacks cannot afford a Zac Gallen setback
Based on his layman assessment, one can infer that the All-Star pitcher will probably be sidelined for a longer stretch this time. Thankfully, he is not a doctor. The Diamondbacks can only hope for a rare visit from Lady Luck in 2024. Perhaps, though, she used her maximum number of visits last October.
Arizona squandered an early 2-0 lead, as Francisco Lindor and J.D. Martinez lifted the Mets to a desperately-needed win. The 25-31 Diamondbacks drop their fourth in a row and are already 10 games out of first place in the NL West.
They lumbered their way through multiple skids last season but ultimately crept into the playoffs with a mere 84 victories. This year was supposed to go much smoother, but this franchise might just be destined to survive rather than thrive in the regular season.
The team is still equipped for fall baseball. It just has to make it through the summer intact. If Gallen does not return to the top of the starting rotation reasonably soon, however, a wild championship fantasy officially morphs into a delusion of grandeur.
The 28-year-old is 5-4 with a 3.12 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 60 strikeouts in 11 starts this season. Lovullo’s group is at its best when faced with adversity, but the next man up philosophy is not typically too effective when the man in question is asked to replace one of the best pitchers in the league.
While Zac Gallen waits for more information, the Diamondbacks look to redeem themselves in Citi Field on Friday night.
