PHOENIX — Right-hander Zac Gallen has agreed to a one-year, $22 million contract to return to the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations.
The deal, confirmed to The Associated Press on Friday night, remains pending a physical examination. Gallen, a 30-year-old All-Star from the 2023 season, had been seeking a multiyear pact during free agency but ultimately opted to rejoin the team where he has spent most of his major league career. The agreement was first reported by MLB.com, which noted that the sides were close to finalizing terms.
Gallen's decision comes after a challenging 2025 campaign, his worst in the majors. He posted a 13-15 record with a 4.83 earned-run average and a career-low 8.2 strikeouts per nine innings. Despite the struggles, the right-hander maintained solid velocity on his pitches and showed signs of improvement late in the season, registering a 3.97 ERA over his final 13 starts following the All-Star break.
Prior to last year, Gallen established himself as one of the National League's premier pitchers. From 2022 to 2024, he finished fifth in Cy Young Award voting in 2022 and third in 2023. That 2023 season was particularly memorable, as he served as the Diamondbacks' ace with a 17-9 record and 3.47 ERA, anchoring the rotation during Arizona's unexpected run to the World Series. The Diamondbacks fell to the Texas Rangers in five games in that Fall Classic.
The person familiar with the deal, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement has not been officially announced, highlighted Gallen's familiarity with the organization as a key factor. "He's coming back to the desert where he's spent the majority of his big league career," the source said, emphasizing the comfort of returning to a known environment after free agency didn't yield the long-term security he desired.
Gallen's path to Arizona has been circuitous. Drafted in the third round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals after a standout college career at the University of North Carolina, he was traded to the Miami Marlins in 2017 as part of a broader deal. He made his big-league debut with Miami in 2019, appearing in 13 games that year. Later that season, the Marlins traded him to the Diamondbacks in a swap that sent infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. to Florida.
Since arriving in Arizona, Gallen has become a cornerstone of the pitching staff. Over seven major league seasons, he has compiled a 66-52 record with a 3.58 ERA in 169 starts. His time with the Diamondbacks has included highs like the 2023 postseason push and lows such as the injury-plagued 2024 season, where he missed significant time due to a strained lat muscle.
The Diamondbacks, who finished third in the NL West in 2025 with an 82-80 record, view Gallen's return as a stabilizing force. General Manager Mike Hazen has not commented publicly on the deal, but sources indicate the team prioritized bringing back familiar arms amid a competitive free-agent market for starting pitchers. Arizona's rotation was thin last year after injuries to key players, and Gallen's experience could help bridge the gap as younger talents like Brandon Pfaadt continue to develop.
Represented by super-agent Scott Boras, Gallen entered free agency with high expectations. Boras clients often hold out for lucrative, long-term deals, but the market for pitchers coming off down years proved cautious. Several teams, including the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, were linked to Gallen in rumors, but no multiyear offers materialized that met his asking price. Instead, the one-year prove-it contract with Arizona allows him to rebuild value in a hitter-friendly park like Chase Field while staying close to home.
Fans in Phoenix reacted positively to the news on social media Friday night, with many expressing relief that the team avoided a complete overhaul of its rotation. "Zac's our guy—glad he's back to lead us again," one supporter posted on X, formerly Twitter. The sentiment underscores Gallen's popularity in Arizona, where he has resided since the 2019 trade and even purchased a home in the area.
Looking ahead, the Diamondbacks face several roster decisions this offseason. With Gallen locked in, attention turns to free agents like outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and reliever Paul Sewald. The team also holds the 12th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, which could bolster its farm system. Hazen has indicated a focus on contention in the loaded NL West, where division rivals like the Dodgers and San Diego Padres have made splashy acquisitions.
Gallen's return also raises questions about his health and role. At 30, he is entering the prime of his career, but the 2025 season included bouts of inconsistency that some analysts attributed to mechanical issues rather than arm trouble. Pitching coach Brent Strom, who worked with Gallen during his Cy Young-contending years, remains with the organization and could play a pivotal role in refining his delivery.
In the broader context of MLB free agency, Gallen's deal reflects a cooling market for mid-tier starters. Top arms like Blake Snell and Aaron Nola signed megadeals earlier in the winter, but players with recent subpar performances faced shorter contracts. According to MLB Trade Rumors, the average AAV for one-year deals this offseason stands at around $15 million, making Gallen's $22 million a premium for his pedigree.
As the Diamondbacks prepare for spring training in Scottsdale in late February, Gallen's physical will be the next hurdle. If cleared, he is expected to slot in as the Opening Day starter on March 27 against the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field. For a franchise still chasing the magic of 2023, his steady presence could be the difference in another playoff push.
The agreement caps a whirlwind free-agency period for Gallen, who turned down a qualifying offer from Arizona last fall in pursuit of bigger opportunities. Now back where it all began for him in the majors, the right-hander has a chance to recapture the form that made him a star. Arizona fans, still smarting from the World Series loss two years ago, will hope this signals the start of another memorable chapter.