The Arizona Diamondbacks might be missing their best pitcher on opening day. Starter Zac Gallen is being evaluated for soreness in his right forearm and his status is uncertain to begin the season on April 1.
The 25-year-old Gallen was scratched from his scheduled exhibition start on Monday. He said he first felt the injury when he was jammed during batting practice about 10 days ago.
Gallen went 3-2 with a 2.75 ERA during the pandemic-shortened season, striking out 82 in 72 innings. Gallen said it was frustrating to get hurt while swinging the bat instead of throwing on the mound.
He's in favor of the designated hitter in both leagues, which was the rule across Major League Baseball in 2020 in the shortened 60-game season.