Although Gallen received and rejected the Qualifying Offer from the Diamondbacks, the offseason did not play out as he hoped. Thus, my guess is he's taking a deal with them nominally worth just about the Qualifying Offer amount. Critically, the Diamondbacks are the only team that doesn't have to give up any draft pick cost to sign Gallen, so a one-year deal with them always made the most sense (if a better contract didn't materialize).
It has been over three years since Fernandez last pitched in a Major League game. He had a brief stint with the Chiba Lotte Marines in 2024 but his time in Japan was mostly spent recovering from injury. Beyond that cup of coffee in NPB, Fernandez pitched at the Triple-A level with the Blue Jays and Nationals in 2023, and with the Royals' and Mets' top affiliates last season. Over 43 combined Triple-A innings in 2025, Fernandez posted a 4.40 ERA and a very impressive 29.5% strikeout rate, but also an inflated 14% walk rate.
The Diamondbacks and righty are in agreement on a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training, as first reported by MLB Transactions Daily ( on Instagram). Robert Murray of Fansided reports that the CAA client would earn $1.5MM if he makes the roster and has another $500K available to him via incentives. He can earn $50K for reaching each of 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 appearances. He'd then earn $100K bonuses at 50 and 55 games pitched.
11:34am: The two sides are in agreement on a trade, reports John Gambadoro of 98.7 Arizona Sports. Right-hander Jack Martinez, the Diamondbacks' eighth-round pick from last summer's draft, is going back to the Cardinals in return. 11:28am: MLB.com's Steve Gilbert reports that a trade sending Arenado to Arizona is "close." Woo and colleague Ken Rosenthal add that Arenado has agreed to waive his no-trade clause. 11:19am: The Diamondbacks and Cardinals are in "serious" discussions on a potential trade that would send Nolan Arenado from St. Louis to Arizona, reports Katie Woo of The Athletic.
Since returning from the IL, Blake Snell has had a sub-2 ERA, but today was his first blip. Early on he was doing his usual thing, as after a one-out walk in the 1st, there was a wild pitch and stolen base with two outs, but nothing to worry about. He rebounded with a seven-pitch 2nd, and then worked around a two-out walk and wild pitch in the 3rd. The 4th was eventful, as it started with a Teoscar Hernandez sliding catch that was ruled a double at first before being reversed.
