The Diamondbacks' Rotation is Officially in Serious Trouble

Rookie left-hander Mitch Bratt walking off the mound following three ineffective innings of work on Sunday served as a punctuation mark at the end of a brutal Arizona Diamondbacks pitching sentence.

Earlier Sunday, news broke that right-hander Michael Soroka would be heading back to the injured list with right arm inflammation.

That unfortunate occurrence is only one of the many blows the Diamondbacks' staff has suffered this year, and only one of the many reasons why Arizona's rotation looks to be in serious trouble, as a September playoff chase looms in the not-so-distant future.

Diamondbacks' rotation in trouble as playoffs loom

Jul 1, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen (23) throws against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

With Soroka down, and question marks surrounding the rest of Arizona's arms, this is what the Diamondbacks' rotation looks like, in its current state (in no particular order, and barring any unforeseen signings).

LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (2.61 ERA)
RHP Brandon Pfaadt (3.39 ERA)
RHP Merrill Kelly (5.37 ERA)
LHP Mitch Bratt (4.54 ERA)
LHP Kohl Drake (5.40) OR RHP Jose Cabrera (5.60)

Overall, Arizona's rotation ranks dead middle of MLB at 4.24. They held a 5.36 ERA coming into Sunday over their past two turns.

The D-backs' overall body of work in the rotation has been much-improved this season, but those numbers have been heavily carried by Rodriguez's career season and Pfaadt's 1.79 ERA since returning from the minor leagues.

Kelly has not pitched well as a whole this year. The rookies have struggled — unsurprisingly. Soroka's 3.40 ERA was quite the boost to Arizona's staff, but his injury troubles have sapped his value.

There is little depth left. Both Drake and Cabrera are in the minor leagues, and neither have pitched particularly well in recent days. Bratt's three-inning, three-run start on Sunday has been more of the norm than the exception despite the seven-inning shutout on his resume.

Meanwhile, Zack Littell, who was signed to provide long relief and potential rotation depth, had a 7.50 ERA in three appearances for the Diamondbacks and was designated for assignment on Sunday. He may stick with the organization, but he's not exactly an obvious solution, either.

The injured Diamondbacks arms

Jun 10, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Ryne Nelson (19) delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Arizona tried to get pitching help at the Deadline, to no avail. That forced GM Mike Hazen to point toward the return of Arizona's injured contingent.

Corbin Burnes, Zac Gallen and Ryne Nelson are all progressing toward a return. But with how long they've all been down, it would not be realistic to expect both lengthy and fully-effective starts right away — if at all — in 2026.

It often takes time for an arm recovering from a serious injury to see the return of full command, movement and velocity. Even if Burnes, one of the game's top aces, pitches in September, he might not look like his Cy Young self, and he'll likely be limited well short of six innings.

The same goes for Nelson, who may return in a bullpen capacity after a non-Tommy John elbow injury of his own. He was already having a bit of a down season, with a 4.97 ERA. Gallen has not been effective since 2024. His 6.34 ERA when fully healthy was the worst in baseball before the injury.

There is time for young arms to step up. There is time for struggling arms to bounce back. There is time for the Diamondbacks to begin a hot streak that could carry them into October.

But none of that is a guarantee. And they'll need some improvement out of their starting pitching for that to happen.

Add us as a preferred source on Google