RADIO
Zac Gallen Awaiting Second Opinions on his Elbow
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that right-hander Zac Gallen (elbow) is waiting on second opinions after landing on the 15-day injured list last week with inflammation in his right elbow, according to Alex D'Agostino of Sports Illustrated. "Gallen, we're continuing to evaluate," Lovullo said. "He is waiting for other opinions from other doctors. So we'll just keep putting that off until we get everything complete." Second opinions typically aren't a great sign for injured players, although it's too early to speculate if Gallen will need something severe like season-ending Tommy John surgery. Still, it's more bad news for the 30-year-old former third-rounder by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2016 out of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill after a rough first half of the season in his eighth year in the big leagues. Gallen is rostered in just over 30% of Yahoo leagues now after going 3-9 in his first 19 starts (98 innings) with a career-worst 6.34 ERA (5.31 FIP) and 1.56 WHIP with 61 strikeouts and 31 walks. It's hard to recommend holding him in mixed fantasy leagues if a lengthy stay on the injured list is coming.
Source: Sports Illustrated - Alex D'Agostino
Source: Sports Illustrated - Alex D'Agostino
Michael Soroka Not Expected to Return Right After All-Star Break
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (glute) threw a bullpen session on Tuesday, but he's not expected to return immediately following this week's All-Star break, according to Sports Illustrated's Alex D'Agostino. Soroka has been on the 15-day injured list since June 19. He's making progress, but he will likely require a minor-league rehab assignment before rejoining Arizona's starting rotation. With Zac Gallen (elbow) also on the IL to start the second half of the season, right-hander Jose Cabrera could be called up to make another couple of spot starts for the Snakes. The 28-year-old Soroka was having a career resurgence in the first half of 2026 before getting hurt in his first year in the desert, going 8-3 with a 3.07 ERA (2.93 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 79 strikeouts and 17 walks in 82 innings pitched across his 15 starts for Arizona. Soroka should become a popular streamer once again in fantasy when he's healthy, but that might not be until early August.
Source: Sports Illustrated - Alex D'Agostino
Source: Sports Illustrated - Alex D'Agostino
Geraldo Perdomo Receives Cortisone Shot, D-Backs Not Worried
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (hand) received a cortisone shot to address a nagging hand injury that arose during the team's series in San Diego against the division-rival Padres, but the skipper didn't sound worried, according to Alex D'Agostino of Sports Illustrated. "He battles hand issues throughout the course of the year, ever since we've had him," Lovullo said. "I was told it's not going to hinder him whatsoever." Perdomo posted an image of his left hand bandaged up, but it doesn't appear to be a situation that will land him on the injured list to start the second half of the season. Fantasy managers will want to make sure to check Arizona's lineup for Friday's series opener versus the St. Louis Cardinals. The 26-year-old Dominican shortstop has had a down year in 2026 after hitting .290 with a career-high 20 home runs, 100 RBI, and 27 steals in 161 games. Perdomo has a .241/.354/.356 slash line with a .710 OPS, only six homers, 34 RBI, 15 steals, and 46 runs in 92 games going into the second half of 2026.
Source: Sports Illustrated - Alex D'Agostino
Source: Sports Illustrated - Alex D'Agostino
Ketel Marte Is a Second-Half Buy After Cold July
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte went into the break batting .256/.311/.461 with 17 home runs, 51 runs, 54 RBI, and four steals across 92 games. The final stretch was ugly. Marte hit .196 with no homers in 49 July plate appearances, ending the half on an 0-for-9 skid against the Dodgers. That is the opening for a trade offer. His expected line still looks like Ketel Marte. Statcast has him at a .293 expected average and .496 expected slugging percentage, with a .364 xwOBA against a .332 actual mark. The contact quality has backed off from 2025, but a 91 mph average exit velocity, 44.9% hard-hit rate, and 10.9% barrel rate are hardly warning signs. Arizona gave him 364 of 405 plate appearances in the leadoff spot. Buy the cold finish, not the idea that Marte suddenly stopped being a difference-maker.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Geraldo Perdomo a Second-Half Breakout Candidate?
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo was one of the breakout stars of the 2025 season, hitting .290 with 20 home runs and 27 stolen bases. The 26-year-old has been unable to repeat his success so far in 2026, hitting .241/.354/.356 with six home runs, 34 RBI, 46 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases across 391 plate appearances. Perdomo's elite plate approach remains his best feature as a hitter, as he's logged more walks (55) than strikeouts (47). However, Perdomo's barrel rate has dropped to 3.2%, and his hard-hit rate is down to 29.8%. Between his plus defense at shortstop and his ability to get on base, Perdomo remains an everyday staple at the top of the Diamondbacks lineup. As such, his reliable production floor is useful for fantasy managers. Still, managers expecting Perdomo to get back to his 2025 output in the second half of 2026 may be disappointed.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Corbin Burnes Feeling Good After Starting a Throwing Program
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Corbin Burnes (elbow) started a throwing program on July 10 and came out of his session feeling good, according to MLB.com. He is scheduled to throw every other day on flat ground and will then progress to throwing off a mound. Burnes has been on the injured list all year after having Tommy John surgery and then suffering a setback with a teres major strain in early June, and he's not expected back with the D-backs' starting rotation until the final month of the regular season in September. When healthy, the 31-year-old veteran has been a top-of-the-rotation ace in his career, but because he might only have a handful of starts later this year, he's only rostered in 17% of Yahoo leagues. Fantasy managers in redraft formats can continue to ignore him. Burnes only made 11 starts for the Snakes last year after signing a massive six-year, $210 million contract with the organization in December of 2024. The four-time All-Star and former Cy Young winner has gone 63-38 in his eight big-league seasons with a 3.15 ERA (3.26 FIP), 1.07 WHIP, and 28.5% strikeout rate.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Tommy Troy to Undergo an MRI
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Tommy Troy (shoulder) will undergo an MRI on Monday. Troy was held out of Sunday's lineup after suffering a shoulder contusion during Saturday's contest. The team will do imaging to determine the severity of the right shoulder injury. The All-Star break is beginning on Monday, so the D-Backs will have a few days to decide what they want to do with Troy. If he does miss additional time, Ryan Waldschmidt figures to see additional playing time in center field. Waldschmidt could be worth adding in deep leagues if Troy does end up on the Injured List.
Source: Nick Piecoro
Source: Nick Piecoro
Zac Gallen Officially Placed on Injured List
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen (elbow) has been officially placed on the 15-day Injured List on Sunday. Gallen was scratched ahead of his scheduled start on Sunday due to left elbow inflammation. He will officially head to the shelf and will hopefully be back in the mix before the end of July. Mitch Bratt will take the mound on Sunday and could remain in the rotation until Gallen is ready to return. Gallen owns a 6.34 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, and a 61/31 K/BB ratio across 98 innings of work this season. Given his struggles, Gallen is really only worth holding in deep leagues at the moment.
Source: Arizona Diamondbacks
Source: Arizona Diamondbacks
Mitch Bratt Being Called Up to Start on Sunday, Worth an Add Off Waivers?
The Arizona Diamondbacks are calling up left-handed pitching prospect Mitch Bratt to make the start in Sunday's series finale against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers, with right-hander Zac Gallen (elbow) likely heading to the injured list, according to Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. Sunday's contest in the final game of the first half of the season will be Bratt's second big-league start after he allowed an earned run on two hits with two walks and three strikeouts over three innings in his major-league debut on June 24 at the St. Louis Cardinals. The 23-year-old Canadian southpaw is considered the team's No. 13 prospect at MLB Pipeline, and the former fifth-rounder by the Texas Rangers in 2021 has posted a 2.41 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 51:14 K:BB in 52 1/3 innings over his 13 starts this year at Reno. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder could be a candidate to take Gallen's rotation spot to begin the second half if he handles himself well on Sunday, but we wouldn't recommend Bratt as a streamer against L.A. in just his second start in the majors. Bratt has gone fewer than five innings in five of his last six outings on the farm as well, so we don't expect him to stick around long on Sunday.
Source: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
Source: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
Ryan Waldschmidt Returning for Sunday's Series Finale
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that outfield prospect Ryan Waldschmidt (hand) will start in center field for Sunday's series finale against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers and right-hander Emmet Sheehan, according to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. The D-backs' top prospect, per MLB Pipeline, was pulled from the series opener on Friday in his return to the big leagues after he was hit by a pitch on his right hand, but after sitting out Saturday's contest, the 23-year-old will be back in action to close out the first half of the season. The former 31st overall selection from the University of Kentucky in 2024 hit .288/.405/.492 with an .897 OPS, six home runs, 29 RBI, 43 runs, and six steals in 51 games at Triple-A Reno this year, but he struggled at the plate in his first taste of the majors and was sent back to Reno to work on his approach against offspeed pitches. Waldschmidt is still searching for his first big-league homer and has an elevated 33.9% strikeout rate in his first 124 plate appearances with the Snakes, but his power/speed upside makes him one of the better young outfield stashes in deeper fantasy baseball leagues going into the second half in 2026.
Source: Arizona Sports - Alex Weiner
Source: Arizona Sports - Alex Weiner
Zac Gallen Likely Headed to Injured List
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen (elbow) was scratched ahead of his scheduled start against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Gallen was supposed to take the ball on Sunday for the final game ahead of the All-Star break. Instead, Gallen is likely headed to the Injured List due to left elbow inflammation. The severity of the injury is unknown at the moment, so fantasy managers will need to stay tuned for more updates. Gallen could use some time to rest and regroup after posting a 6.34 ERA across 19 starts this season. Mitch Bratt is expected to take the ball during Sunday's series finale.
Source: Nick Piecoro
Source: Nick Piecoro
Diamondbacks Select Catcher Ryder Helfrick With 15th Overall Pick
The Arizona Diamondbacks are selecting catcher Ryder Helfrick with the 15th overall pick in the MLB Draft out of Arkansas. Entering the draft, MLB Pipeline viewed Helfrick as the No. 11 overall prospect in the class. The 21-year-old backstop has spent all three of his college seasons at Arkansas. After a quiet debut season in which he appeared in just 31 games, Helfrick became a key part of their starting nine over the past two seasons, playing in at least 60 games in each season. He turned in his best showing in 2025, when he carried a 1.036 OPS with a .305/.420/.616 line. However, in 2026, Helfrick tapped into his raw power, launching a season-high 18 round-trippers for the Razorbacks. While his bat, especially from a power perspective, is worth close monitoring, Helfrick is more known for his elite defense and was given an elite 65-grade arm and 60-grade fielding ahead of the draft. While his batting average may be a weakness, his high-end power and elite defense should provide him with a clear path to the majors.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ryan Waldschmidt Exits After Hit-by-Pitch on Friday
Arizona Diamondbacks rookie outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt (hand) was forced from Friday night's game against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers after getting hit on the fingers while attempting to bunt in the sixth inning, according to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. Before being replaced in center field by Jorge Barrosa, Waldschmidt went 0-for-2 at the plate with two strikeouts. The 23-year-old top D-backs prospect will most certainly be sent for X-rays to rule out any fractures in his hand/fingers. For now, we'll consider him day-to-day heading into Game 2 of the series at Dodger Stadium on Saturday. The former first-rounder from the University of Kentucky in 2024 made his MLB debut earlier this year and struggled at the plate before being sent back to Triple-A Reno. The Snakes just recalled him from the minors on Friday, so it's unfortunate he was injured in his first game back, but hopefully he avoids a serious injury. Waldschmidt struggled in his first 112 big-league at-bats, primarily with offspeed pitchers, hitting .259 with no homers, eight RBI, 11 runs, five stolen bases, and a 32.8% strikeout rate in 33 games. His power/speed upside makes him a bench stash in all dynasty/keeper leagues, though.
Source: Arizona Sports - Alex Weiner
Source: Arizona Sports - Alex Weiner
Michael Soroka has Bullpen Session Pushed Back
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Michael Soroka (glute) will have his bullpen session pushed back from Sunday to Tuesday or Wednesday. Soroka is still dealing with some soreness, so the D-Backs will play it safe. They'll give him a few extra days to rest, but Soroka won't be ready right after the All-Star break. The right-hander will likely need at least another week or so to ramp up before he's ready to pitch again. Fantasy managers should continue to hold Soroka, with his return hopefully coming by the end of July. There should be another update on his status following his next bullpen session.
Source: Nick Piecoro
Source: Nick Piecoro
Corbin Burnes is Cleared for Throwing Program
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Corbin Burnes (elbow) has been cleared to begin a throwing program on Friday. According to Nick Piecoro, Burnes had an MRI that showed signs of healing, so the D-Backs have decided to let Burnes start throwing the ball. The right-hander has been on the Injured List since June of 2025 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He suffered a side strain while rehabbing, which has delayed him as well. It appears that Burnes is finally ready to ramp up his recovery process. The hope is that Burnes can take the mound for the D-Backs before the end of the season. He still has a long way to go, but this is an encouraging update on Burnes.
Source: Nick Piecoro
Source: Nick Piecoro
