Gallen (elbow) returns to Phoenix for imaging; IL stint likely

LOS ANGELES – The depleted Diamondbacks rotation just took another hit.

Zac Gallen has been scratched from his scheduled start against the Dodgers on Sunday because of right elbow inflammation and was sent back to Arizona, manager Torey Lovullo announced prior to the second game of the D-backs’ series in L.A. Gallen underwent imaging in Phoenix and is likely to be placed on the 15-day injured list.

“We got that news yesterday that he was having a little bit of discomfort, and he was examined, and most likely will be headed for the IL,” Lovullo said. “I would say post-start [against San Diego on July 7], we were paying attention to some of the things that he was saying, and then just decided to get this thing examined by our doctors back at home.”

Left-hander Mitch Bratt joined the Diamondbacks from Triple-A Reno and will start in Gallen’s place on Sunday. An official roster move has not yet been made.

Gallen has scuffled to a career-worst 6.34 ERA this season. In his last outing against the Padres, he allowed four runs in six innings to lose his fourth consecutive start. He averaged 92.7 mph on his four-seam fastball in the outing, below his season average of 93.4 mph.

“Zac will be able to give you a little bit more detail as to exactly how he was feeling outing to outing,” Lovullo said. “But he was taking the baseball, and I don't think he was throwing the ball terribly. I know that there were some moments where it was touch-and-go for him, but he's a warrior.

“He just wanted the ball, and then I think he felt something, he spoke up and that's why we decided to get him examined.”

While Gallen has struggled this season, his injury is nonetheless a blow to an already-wounded D-backs rotation. Corbin Burnes (Tommy John surgery/teres major strain) and Ryne Nelson (right flexor strain/right UCL sprain) are both on the 60-day injured list and not expected to return until September at the earliest. Michael Soroka (left glute strain) had his most recent scheduled bullpen session pushed back and does not have a timeline to return.

For now, the D-backs’ rotation will consist of Eduardo Rodriguez, Merrill Kelly, Brandon Pfaadt, Jose Cabrera and Bratt.

Only three weeks ago, Pfaadt, Cabrera and Bratt were all in Triple-A.

“It's a little different than we projected early in this year,” Lovullo said. “We have Nelly who's down, Zac who's down now, Soroka and Corbin. Those are the guys that we were projecting that were going to carry the heavy workload, but we know the landscape and we've got to make adjustments.”

Diamondbacks starters have pitched 518 2/3 innings this year, second most in the National League behind only the Dodgers.

For the foreseeable future, they’re going to have to rely on their depth options to maintain that level of performance.

“I feel great knowing that we have depth and we're going to be OK with guys getting experience,” Lovullo said. “But it's nothing that we predicted. It's very unfortunate. It's the unfortunate part of this game, and everybody has to deal with it.”