Diamondbacks hope Zac Gallen’s return pays off for both sides

SCOTTSDALE – Zac Gallen is betting on himself this season. The Diamondbacks are betting on the right-handed pitcher to help bolster their starting rotation.

The former All-Star left long-term options on the table from other teams, ultimately choosing to re-sign with Arizona, citing the benefits to himself and his family. 

“We wanted to make sure we were going somewhere good for us from a standpoint of family environment, what’s comfortable and also somewhere I could continue getting better,” Gallen said.

Gallen is coming off a rough 2025 season, pitching career worsts in ERA (4.83), walks allowed (66) and WAR (1.1), which left him sitting on the open market right up until spring training.

Gallen recently signed a one-year contract with the Diamondbacks worth $22.025 million – the same amount as the qualifying offer he rejected this offseason – with $14 million of the deal to be paid out later through deferrals.

Gallen’s return is a welcome one in the clubhouse, with players happy to see the longtime ace back in a Diamondbacks jersey.

Ryne Nelson, who is coming off a career year as a starter, noted the benefits to having players like Gallen and Merrill Kelly, who also re-signed with the Diamondbacks this offseason, back in the clubhouse.

“I think they make our team better,” Nelson said. “They’re both experienced veteran guys, they’ve got a lot of knowledge. I think that when you add two guys like that at the front of the rotation, it’s nothing but good for the team.” 

Kevin Ginkel, a key bullpen arm for the Diamondbacks, mentioned another benefit of having both as mainstays in the rotation once again.

“Those guys are incredibly durable,” Ginkel said. “I think from a leadership perspective, knowing that those guys are going to take the mound every fifth day, having them go five, six, seven innings, however many, it’s huge.”

Shortstop Geraldo Perdomo noted both pitchers’ role in the team’s recent success. 

“They were on the team in 2023 for the World Series,” Perdomo said. “I’m happy with those guys. I’m happy Gallen is back, I’m happy Merrill is back. They both had a couple offers on the table from different teams, and they chose to come back.”

With Gallen in the fold, the Diamondbacks staff is rounding into form. Former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes aims to return from Tommy John surgery after the All-Star break, and A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez should return to the bullpen in July and August, setting up the Diamondbacks on paper with a strong staff in the late stages of the regular season.

Nelson still stressed that in order for the team to capitalize on this strength, it needs to play winning baseball early in the season.

“There’s a lot of quality arms on this team,” he said.  “We just got to focus on putting in the work now to benefit from it later.”

But Ginkel noted how Gallen’s return adds another arm that can go late into games, which is a big help to the bullpen. 

“It definitely gives some leeway,” Ginkel said. “That’s gonna help save our bullpen going into the season, as well as going into the second half.” 

While Gallen’s return adds much needed stability to the rotation to start the season, it also gives him the opportunity to enter the market next offseason in search of a bigger payday and longer term.

“I think I owe it to myself, the organization and the fans to come back and have a good year and prove my worth,” Gallen said. 

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