After missing nearly a month with a right hamstring strain, Zac Gallen is back with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Gallen was lights out in a 3-0 victory against the Oakland A’s on Saturday.
His final numbers: 6 innings pitched (77 pitches, 50 strikes), seven strikeouts, one walk, one hit, and no earned runs. His fastball was better than ever, clocking two pitches above 97 mph, his best of the year.
Before the game, manager Torey Lovullo was ecstatic to talk about Gallen being back in the clubhouse and on the mound.
“You can only imagine how we all felt driving to the ballpark today,” Lovullo said. “It’s great to have our ace back.”
The feelings remain the same after this positive pitching performance.
A little over midway through the season, Arizona is hovering in the wild card race. The snakes are trailing the St. Louis Cardinals by 2.5 games for the final spot.
Gallen’s return is a step in the right direction. Gabriel Moreno could return by Tuesday against the Dodgers. Alek Thomas is close as well, with his rehab in Reno going smooth.
There will be roster moves to watch out for as these players return. Arizona has an influx of infielders, so one may have to go when Thomas returns. Lovullo also said an outfielder could be sent down too, but that appears less likely.
On the pitching front, there isn’t a timetable for Merril Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez to return.
The right moves can get this team back above .500 and beyond. The wrong ones could stall momentum and create a more difficult path to the postseason.
Jordan Spurgeon
