*Photo from Arizona Sports*
For all those who are advocates for the universal DH in baseball, this news is more ammunition for that group. Arizona Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen was diagnosed with a hairline stress fracture of his right forearm, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert. The Diamondbacks have confirmed the injury.
Gallen sustained the injury after getting jammed with a pitch while he was taking batting practice a few weeks ago. Gallen said he only felt some discomfort when he was swinging a bat and throwing his curveball, and that he doesn't feel any pain or discomfort when throwing his other pitches. Manager Torey Lovullo said there is no timetable for his return, because there is no precedent for this injury in baseball history.
Lovullo said of Gallen's status that "We're just going to get through this first phase, where he's playing catch, and then reload, and I'll keep you guys updated. To me, that was the best news possible. When we were considering what some of the other options are, obviously, when you are talking about an elbow or shoulder and you’re a starting pitcher."
Gallen had his injury confirmed through a series of medical tests. He had an MRI, a CT scan, and an X-Ray, and two different doctors confirmed the hairline fracture. Gallen said he initially didn't think much of it, and made his scheduled spring training starts on March 12 and March 17 with only a little discomfort.
Gallen said of his injury that "It’s definitely frustrating considering I’m kind of an advocate for the DH. I get paid to pitch, that’s kind of how I look at it. It comes along with the job. I play in the National League, you have to hit, you have to bunt, you have to do those certain things."
Gallen was the best starting pitcher in Arizona last season, finishing with a 3-2 record with a 2.75 ERA in 12 starts for the D-Backs, and was going to slot in at the top of the rotation this year, alongside Madison Bumgarner.
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