Zac Gallen returns from a 30-day absence when the Arizona Diamondbacks face the Oakland Athletics on Saturday in the middle contest of a three-game set at Phoenix. Gallen has been sidelined since injuring his right hamstring against the New York Mets on May 30. He said he sustained the injury on his fifth pitch of the game.
Gallen exited one pitch later. When Gallen takes the mound, he will be looking to help Arizona rebound from a 9-4 loss in Friday night's series opener. The right-hander ramped up his progress this week with a 67-pitch effort in a simulated game on Monday and a bullpen session three days later.
Manager Torey Lovullo hinted about Gallen's return before Friday's game. "It's probably the worst kept secret in all of Major League Baseball. He should be very ready and don't be surprised in the next 24 hours he's our starting pitcher," said, Lovullo, who made the official announcement after the game.
The Diamondbacks are certainly happy to get their ace back. In the previous six games, the pitching staff has been hammered for 50 runs and 72 hits. The opposing team has 14 hits three times during the stretch and games of 13 and 11.
Gallen (5-4, 3.12 ERA) placed third in National League Cy Young balloting last season after recording career highs for victories (17), strikeouts (220) and innings pitched (210). He also was the NL's starting pitcher in the All-Star Game.
The 28-year-old Gallen hasn't found the same groove this season and lost four of six starts prior to .
