Zac Gallen takes mound as Diamondbacks open WBC exhibition vs. Mexico

According to Diamondbacks on SI, Right-handed pitcher Zac Gallen will take the mound against Mexico on Tuesday, and it’s more than just another spring training outing. For the Diamondbacks’ ace, it’s an opportunity to face a lineup filled with a blend of All-Stars and veterans, using these games to build chemistry before heading to Houston to open WBC play.

The start also gives Gallen a chance to show that the strong finish to his 2025 season has carried into 2026. The exhibition provides an early test of that momentum.

Mar 15, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Mexico outfielder Alek Thomas against Canada during the World Baseball Classic at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

While the game won’t count in the standings, it still offers the chance to embrace a high-leverage environment. Gallen is seeking consistency on the mound, and Team Mexico is preparing for one of the biggest international tournaments in baseball. The intensity, even in exhibition form, can mirror meaningful competition.

It’s not just Gallen versus Mexico, however. There’s also the possibility of a matchup between Arizona teammates.

Outfielder Alek Thomas is suiting up for Team Mexico in the WBC, and while it’s uncertain whether he’ll play Tuesday, there’s a chance he and Gallen could square off. That possibility adds another layer to the exhibition, with familiarity potentially working both ways as Thomas acclimates to his Mexican teammates.

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen (23) throws to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning on Feb. 25, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale. © Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Exhibitions don’t define a season, but for Gallen and the Diamondbacks, this one could serve as a tone-setter for what he hopes to bring into the regular season.