Luis Garcia sidelined by elbow pain after Tommy John surgery setback
- Luis Garcia has been scratched from his batting practice session due to soreness in his right elbow.
- This marks another setback in his recovery from Tommy John surgery that occurred in May 2023.
- The Astros are concerned, as they had hoped he would return to pitch by May, contributing needed depth to their rotation.
In West Palm Beach, Florida, Houston Astros pitcher Luis Garcia faced another setback in his recovery from Tommy John surgery performed in May 2023. Recently, he was scratched from a scheduled batting practice session due to soreness in his right elbow. This decision was made just prior to practice, and the team's manager Joe Espada indicated that Garcia would require evaluation by the team doctors to assess the extent of the issue. Garcia, who turned 28 in December, has been working towards returning to the mound after a challenging rehab process. Throughout last season, he made two minor league appearances, during which he demonstrated flashes of his former self, including reaching 94 mph. Despite these outings, he did not progress to rehabilitation appearances in the major leagues as hoped. His journey back to normalcy has been hampered by injuries, and the Astros organization had anticipated seeing him pitch again by May to bolster their starting rotation. In addition, the team's expectations for starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr., who also underwent elbow surgery in June 2023, add pressure on the pitching staff. The Astros are looking for depth in their rotation, especially with uncertainties surrounding their injured players. Garcia's previous performance record shows promise; he achieved a 28-19 win-loss record alongside a 3.61 ERA in 63 starts and six relief appearances from 2020 to 2023. He had even represented Venezuela during the 2023 World Baseball Classic, showcasing his talent on an international stage. Also noteworthy, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho is in a similar situation, having to open the season on the injured list while recovering from shoulder surgery. Varsho's case reflects broader concerns within the league regarding player health and the impact of injuries on team performance. Managers and fans alike hope that Varsho can return to play soon as he is considered a valuable asset to the team. His commitment to recovery is evident as he has played as a designated hitter during spring training and has expressed his determination to regain full fitness soon.