SCOTTSDALE — Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed pitcher Zac Gallen hasn’t let his focus shift as the club’s Opening Day plans have suddenly changed.
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Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly returns to the clubhouse after throwing for two innings to the Kansas City Royals during a spring training game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on Feb. 28, 2025, in Scottsdale. © Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
News broke Wednesday that Arizona’s projected Opening Day starter, Merrill Kelly, would not be able to take the mound against the Los Angeles Dodgers to begin the season. It immediately had fans talking about who would replace Kelly to face the reigning World Series champions — and Gallen’s name quickly surfaced.
Gallen has been the Diamondbacks’ Opening Day starter for the last three seasons, cementing himself as a stable force in the rotation and achieving “ace” status with his consistency on the mound. However, it’s not something he’s thinking about right now.
Feb 25, 2026; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen (23) throws in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images
“I haven’t even crossed that mind,” Gallen said after his 2026 Spring Training debut, according to Arizona Sports. “Like, just tried to be sympathetic to Merrill and just kind of, you know, offer him some input when he thought it was something that seemed similar or something I might have had a few years ago. Just, yeah, just tried to be there for him.”
Kelly had re-signed a two-year deal with the club in December, hoping to continue being the mainstay he has become in the desert. With Corbin Burnes still recovering from Tommy John surgery, the expectation was that Kelly would help keep the team in contention in a tough National League West division by serving as the top arm in the rotation.
May 30, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly against the Washington Nationals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Now, it remains to be seen when he will return to action, and Arizona must decide who will get the Opening Day nod. Still, Gallen is simply focused on staying ready whenever his first start comes.
“I haven’t thought about that at all,” Gallen said. “For me, it’s just what’s going to be the healthiest way to get ready for, you know, my first start, whatever that is.”
This marks another chapter in a stretch of seasons in which pitchers have been sidelined by injury, with Kelly the latest case. It’s a reality that has become all too familiar and one fans have struggled to accept when another high-value player goes down.
Injuries 🤝 Arizona sports
Always a problem. Such a bummer. Sounds like Gallen will be the opening day starter https://t.co/uBPMXAzXF2
— 🌵 Mr. Az (@MrAzSports) February 25, 2026
Arizona sports in a nutshell https://t.co/u2fmdg1XyL
— ☀️ (@Suns6thMan) February 25, 2026
Every year is always the pitchers that get hurt for the Diamondbacks 🤦♂️
— 👁️ ☄️ (@applejack10_) February 25, 2026
It’s unclear at this point who will start the season for the Diamondbacks, but whether it’s on Opening Day or later, Gallen has made it clear his priority is to be the pitcher the club needs — whenever that moment arrives.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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