Diamondbacks' frontline starter is giving up hits at an alarming rate

Despite declining the Arizona Diamondbacks' qualifying offer at the end of the 2025 season, Zac Gallen did return for the 2026 season. After his free agency didn't go as expected, he and the club agreed on a one-year, $22.025 million deal. 

Teams were hesitant with his struggles last year, and that may have been a wise decision, because he's struggling this year as well. Across 15 starts, he's compiled a 3-5 record with a 5.35 ERA over the course of 75.2 innings of work. 

That's not helping a team that shares the same division with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres. 

MORE: Diamondbacks have four huge offensive problems to fix by MLB trade deadline

Diamondbacks' frontline starter is giving up hits at an alarming rate

Now, Gallen took quite a hit back in April against the Padres in Mexico City. In the third inning, he delivered a pitch to Freddy Fermin, who hit a 92 MPH comebacker that hit Gallen on the right shoulder. 

He would stay in to finish the inning, but would leave the game after he completed the frame. And ever since, his command has taken a hit in the zone as well as his pitch shaping. 

He isn't missing bats with the knuckle curve as he has in the past. And with this, Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller tags him as the club's most scrutinized player. 

"A month ago, the choice would have been Ketel Marte. But while the three-time All-Star second baseman has turned things around in a big way, Gallen has gone from bad in 2025 to worse in 2026. He entered the year averaging 7.5 hits allowed and 9.5 strikeouts per nine innings pitched. The former rate has ballooned to 11.1 while the latter has plummeted to 5.9. His velocity has been fine, but the knuckle curve that used to be his go-to out pitch simply isn't fooling anyone anymore."

Gallen isn't helping out his team, and he certainly isn't helping out his future market when he becomes a free agent at the end of the year. Unless something changes soon, the former ace will find himself searching for another short-term contract this winter. 

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