Arizona Diamondbacks Put Zac Gallen on Sick List, Bring Up Mitch Bratt

Published: Jul 12, 2026, 04:21 PM ET
Location: Los Angeles

What’s the Big News?

The Arizona Diamondbacks (a professional baseball team in the top league called MLB) made two player changes:

• Zac Gallen, a pitcher who throws with his right hand, was placed on the 15-day injured list (think of it as a "sick leave" for hurt players). He has right elbow inflammation, which means the inside of his elbow is swollen and sore.
• Mitch Bratt, a pitcher who throws with his left hand, was recalled (called back up) from the minor leagues to start a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers (another MLB team) on Sunday.

Important Point: Being on the injured list means a player is not allowed to play in real games for at least 15 days so their body can heal.

Why Did the Plan Change?

Gallen was supposed to be the starting pitcher for Sunday’s game. This game is the final one before the All-Star break (a short mid-season vacation where the best players compete in a special showcase). But late on Saturday, team manager Torey Lovullo announced the plan would be different.

Lovullo explained:

"I think he felt something and he spoke up and that’s when we decided to get him examined."

In simple words: Gallen noticed pain, told the team, and they got him checked by doctors. The manager added that they will set a clear recovery timeline during the All-Star break.

How Has Zac Gallen Been Playing?

Even before the injury, Gallen (age 30) was having a rough stretch. Here are his numbers explained simply:

• Over his past 8 starts (dating back to May 29), he lost 5 games and won none (record: 0-5). His ERA (Earned Run Average – a score that shows how many runs the opponent gets per 9 innings; lower is better) was 8.24, which is high.
• For the full season so far (19 starts), he is 3-9 with a 6.34 ERA.

But Gallen has normally been a solid pitcher over his career:

• He has played 8 seasons in MLB.
• Career totals: 69 wins, 61 losses, with a 3.83 ERA over 195 starts for the Miami Marlins and Diamondbacks.
• In 2023, he was a National League All-Star (selected as one of the best players) and finished third in the NL Cy Young Award voting (the award given to the best pitcher).

Who Is Mitch Bratt?

Mitch Bratt is a young player, only 23 years old. This will be his second time on the Diamondbacks’ main team roster.

• He made his big-league debut (first ever MLB game) on June 24.
• In that start against the St. Louis Cardinals, he pitched 3 innings and allowed just 1 run.

He is now stepping in to take Gallen’s turn on Sunday.

Summary

Let’s recap everything in a nutshell:

• Zac Gallen, a veteran right-handed pitcher, is hurt with elbow inflammation and will sit out at least 15 days.
• His recent games were poor (0-5, 8.24 ERA in last 8; 3-9, 6.34 ERA this season), but his career has been strong (69-61, 3.83 ERA, 2023 All-Star).
• Mitch Bratt, a 23-year-old lefty, returns to the roster and will start Sunday versus the Dodgers.
• The team will learn more about Gallen’s healing plan during the All-Star break.

FAQ (Easy Questions & Answers)

1. What is the “injured list” in baseball?
It’s like a timeout list for players who are hurt. A 15-day injured list means the player cannot play for 15 days so they can recover.

2. What does ERA mean, and why does a lower number matter?
ERA stands for Earned Run Average. It measures how many runs a pitcher lets the other team score per 9 innings. A lower ERA means the pitcher is better at keeping the other team from scoring.

3. What is the All-Star break?
It’s a few days off in the middle of the baseball season. The top players from around the league play a special exhibition game called the All-Star Game.

4. Who are the Diamondbacks facing on Sunday, and who starts?
They play the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Mitch Bratt will be the starting pitcher replacing Gallen.

5. Has Gallen ever been one of the best pitchers in the league?
Yes! In 2023 he was a National League All-Star and finished third in the Cy Young Award (best pitcher) voting, showing he was among the elite.