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.

The National League switched back to pitchers hitting for the 2021 season.

“It’s definitely frustrating considering I’m kind of an advocate for the DH,” Gallen said. “I get paid to pitch, that’s kind of how I look at it. It comes along with the job. I play in the National League, you have to hit, you have to bunt, you have to do those certain things.”

The Diamondbacks have had multiple injuries to key players during spring training.

Starting right fielder Kole Calhoun had knee surgery earlier this month and is expected to miss at least the first few weeks of the season. Reliever Tyler Clippard is battling shoulder soreness and has been shut down from throwing for at least six weeks.

DUGOUT CHATTER

Mike Piazza, at spring training with the New York Mets as a guest instructor, spoke with All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor, who has started discussions about a long-term contract.

Lindor was acquired from Cleveland in January. He’s eligible for free agency after the season.

“I was fortunate to have a nice conversation with him today,” the Hall of Fame catcher said. “If he is going to be here long term, I just think there’s a spiritual component to it. I think he’s got to go out and get comfortable. And the fact that he has such a good team around him to support him, as well.”

His advice to Lindor: ”Just go out and play, go and play, put your numbers up. And if it’s meant to be, he’s going to be here.”

DIAMONDBACKS 4, ATHLETICS 4 (9 INNINGS)

Seth Frankoff started in place of Gallen and walked five over four innings but allowed just one hit. Tim Locastro doubled twice.

Oakland starter Jesús Luzardo did not allow a run over 4 1/3 innings. A.J. Puk gave up three runs on three hits and two walks over 1 2/3 innings of relief.

ASTROS 5, METS 4

Houston star José Altuve lined into a bases-loaded triple play. Bryan Abreu, a top Astros pitching prospect who turns 24 next month, started and pitched three perfect innings, striking out four. Kent Emanuel did not give up an earned run over 2 1/3 innings of relief.

Acquired from San Diego as part of a three-team trade in January, left-hander Joey Lucchesi made his second start for New York, working 3 1/3 innings and allowing three runs on four hits. Mike Montgomery pitched two innings of two-hit relief. Albert Almora Jr. hit a three-run homer.

ANGELS 15, CUBS 7

Mike Trout had a two-run double and RBI grounder during a 10-run second inning. It was the biggest spring training inning for Los Angeles since 2014, when Trout hit a grand slam during a nine-run burst.

Justin Upton hit two doubles and Anthony Rendon homered. Angels starter Griffin Canning allowed three runs and six hits in five innings.

Keegan Thompson was roughed up in his first start for the Cubs, giving up four earned runs on five hits and a walk in 1 1/3 innings. Juan Gámez did not retire a batter in the second inning and was charged with five runs. Ian Happ led off the game with a home run.

PIRATES 6, ORIOLES 5 (8 INNINGS)

Trevor Cahill made his Pittsburgh debut and pitched two perfect innings. Kevin Newman had three hits, scored three runs and is 14 for 20 (.700) this spring.

Baltimore starter John Means allowed four hits and walked three over 3 2/3 innings, striking out three. Freddy Galvis doubled and singled.

RED SOX 10, RAYS 4

Eduardo Rodríguez, set to start on opening day for Boston, pitched two innings and gave up and earned run on three hits and a pair of walks. Michael Chavis and Bobby Dalbec both hit their sixth home runs of the spring and Christian Arroyo hit his third.

Manuel Margot doubled and drove in two runs for Tampa Bay. Chris Ellis worked two innings in relief and gave up six runs on four hits, two of them home runs, and walked three.

TWINS 4, BRAVES 2

Minnesota starter José Berríos threw two-hit ball for 4 2/3 innings, walking three and striking out six. Nelson Cruz homered.

Kyle Wright struck out five over five innings, allowing three earned runs on three hits, walking three. Touki Toussaint fanned two of the three batters he faced in the eighth.

MARLINS 7, CARDINALS 2

Miami opening day starter Sandy Alcantara gave up two runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings, striking out five. Peyton Burdick had a pinch-hit home run.

St. Louis starter Jack Flaherty allowed three runs on five hits and three walks, fanning five before leaving after 5 1/3 innings. Dylan Carlson homered. Matt Carpenter’s struggles at the plate continued with two strikeouts in four at-bats – he is 1 for 29 with 13 strikeouts this spring.

PADRES 9, RANGERS 9 (9 INNINGS)

San Diego starter Joe Musgrove worked four innings, allowing five runs on eight hits while striking out five. Tommy Pham hit a leadoff home run in the first and added a two-run shot in the third.

Texas starter Mike Minor went five innings, yielding three runs and five hits while striking out four. Hunter Dozier hit a three-run homer. Emmanuel Rivera hit a two-run double to tie, but was thrown out trying for a triple to end the game.

WHITE SOX 7, GIANTS 2

Chicago starter Lucas Giolito pitched two-hit ball for 4 2/3 innings, walking three and striking out four. Tim Anderson hit a leadoff homer and Eloy Jiménez added a two-run drive in the first inning.

San Francisco starter Kevin Gausman was tagged for four runs and seven hits over 3 2/3 innings. Wandy Peralta allowed two hits and struck out two in the eighth.

BREWERS 6, INDIANS 3

Milwaukee starter Brandon Woodruff gave up five hits over six innings, giving up two runs and striking out four. Brent Suter struck out two of the three batters he faced in the seventh and Josh Hader gave up a hit and struck out two in the eighth. Tyrone Taylor, Daniel Vogelbach and Avisaíl García each homered.

Cleveland starter Triston McKenzie allowed six runs on six hits, three of them home runs, walked four and struck out three over 4 2/3 innings. Franmil Reyes hit his fourth home run. Josh Naylor sat out two weekend games with wrist soreness and returned to the lineup.

ROCKIES 5, RANGERS 4

Colorado starter Germán Márquez allowed three runs on six hits in five innings. Daniel Bard gave up a hit and walked one while striking out two in the eighth. Ryan McMahon, C.J. Cron and Chris Owings homered.

Dane Dunning went 3 1/3 innings in the start for Texas and gave three hits, two of them solo home runs. Nick Solak and Rougned Odor each hit home runs.

Rangers reliever José Leclerc has returned to Texas after experiencing elbow soreness and is expected to miss significant time. He missed most of the 2020 season with a shoulder injury.

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