The Arizona Diamondbacks will likely lose Michael Soroka and Zac Gallen through free agency, potentially creating multiple openings within their starting rotation.

Gallen struggled during the season and also experienced inflammation in his right elbow. Those problems create further uncertainty as Arizona develops its pitching plan for 2027.

His possible departure could leave Corbin Burnes, Eduardo Rodríguez, Ryne Nelson, Merrill Kelly and Brandon Pfaadt as the Diamondbacks’ remaining rotation choices.

Building sufficient depth will be every bit as important as determining which pitchers should occupy the leading positions on the staff.

With that requirement in mind, right-hander Jack Flaherty is a pitcher who should warrant serious consideration.

Flaherty endured consecutive difficult seasons with the Detroit Tigers in 2025 and 2026.

The right-hander posted a 4.64 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 161 innings over 31 starts during the 2025 season. He followed with a 4.48 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over 20 appearances (19 starts) in 2026.

Those numbers were not disastrous, but they also fell short of what teams would expect from an established starter attempting to secure an important place in a rotation.

Flaherty’s previous performance offers a reason for optimism. He is only two years removed from recording a 3.17 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 162 innings over 28 starts for the Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024.

The 2024 season showed that Flaherty can provide both effectiveness and a substantial workload when he is performing well.

He consequently represents another potential buy-low option with upside. Flaherty will also be only 31 years old, giving him more time to rebound than many of the veteran starters available.

Arizona would not need him to lead the rotation. Burnes and Rodríguez can handle the most prominent assignments, allowing Flaherty to settle into a supporting role without carrying the expectations associated with an ace.

His experience completing a full schedule of starts would help a team that cannot reasonably expect the same five pitchers to remain available throughout an entire season.

Flaherty also has a recent example of success to study rather than depending on a distant peak. The Diamondbacks would need to identify what changed after 2024 and determine whether adjustments could help him regain that previous form.

His consecutive difficult seasons create legitimate risk. Arizona should avoid making a substantial long-term commitment based entirely on the possibility of a rebound.

However, those struggles should also reduce his cost and make him attainable for a team expected to operate carefully with its payroll.

A shorter agreement could benefit both sides. Flaherty would receive an opportunity to rebuild his value in an established rotation, while Arizona would add another experienced starter without making an excessive financial commitment.

The Diamondbacks need pitchers who can compete for regular starts while providing protection against injuries and regression elsewhere. Flaherty’s age, workload history and relatively recent success make him a sensible candidate for that role in 2027.