This is concerning.
Houston Astros starter Luis Garcia returned to the rotation last week for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023. On Tuesday, Garcia was pulled in the second inning of his second start since his return. He appeared to experience discomfort after throwing an 88-mph pitch to Toronto Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement.
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Garcia then called for athletic trainers, who came out of the Astros’ dugout to meet him on the mound. He almost immediately left the game after a brief discussion.
The nature of what was ailing Garcia wasn’t immediately clear. He appeared to point to his elbow as he called for trainers. Then on Wednesday, Garcia was placed on the 15-day injured list with what the team called right elbow discomfort.
Per The Athletic’s Chandler Rome, Garcia’s velocity was down throughout his start prior to his exit with two outs in the second inning. He threw 27 pitches against the Blue Jays, 14 of them for strikes. He did not allow a hit or a run.
Luis Garcia (left) appeared to immediately realize that something was wrong after throwing a pitch in the second inning.
(Kevin Sousa via Getty Images)
The Blue Jays rallied from a 3-0 deficit in the sixth inning for a 4-3 win in 10 as the Astros were forced into using their bullpen for most of the game following Garcia’s exit.
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Garcia had a long road to return from Tommy John
Prior to his return to the mound on Sept. 1, Garcia hadn’t pitched in an MLB game since May 1, 2023, a span of more than two years. He had Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for the remainder of the 2023 season and the entirety of 2024.
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Garcia was slated to face live hitters during spring training in March but was shut down due to elbow soreness. He was cleared again in July and pitched nine minor-league rehab starts before he was called up for a start against the Los Angeles Angels on Sept. 1.
Garcia pitched six innings against the Angels, allowing three earned runs in Houston’s 8-3 win. He recorded six strikeouts and no walks and was credited with the win. There were no apparent concerns coming out of that 79-pitch outing, and Garcia remained in the rotation for Tuesday’s start.
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Garcia, 28, finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting during his first full season with the Astros in 2021. He made 28 starts the following season with a 3.72 ERA and helped Houston to a World Series championship. He pitched five shutout innings that postseason in a 1-0 win over the Seattle Mariners to clinch the ALDS.
Garcia’s late-season return was expected to boost Houston’s rotation as it looks to fend off the Mariners in a tight race for the AL West crown. Now, Garcia and the Astros are left to hope he didn’t suffer a significant setback after returning from Tommy John surgery.