Houston Astros manager Joe Espada has confirmed that pitcher Luis Garcia will be out for the rest of this season. Garcia started the 2023 season injured and had to undergo Tommy John surgery last May for his elbow. Garcia was set to return this season, but was experiencing multiple hiccups in his recovery. The setbacks he was facing impacted his rehab assignments, causing them to be deferred.
Luis Garcia will not pitch for the Astros this season, Joe Espada said. Garcia will resume playing catch this weekend, but that is targeted toward getting him ready for 2025.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) August 19, 2024
Astros Pitcher Luis Garcia Out for Season
While we won’t see Garcia pitch for the Astros this season, he will continue to work on throwing in his program this weekend. The 27-year-old’s new focus will be regaining his health for spring training in 2025. There is no point in pushing and rushing Garcia to return with the limited time left in the season. The Astros want to avoid more setbacks with his injury and make sure he’s recovered by next season. We’ve already witnessed many pitchers returning from injury and instantly getting hurt again. For example, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Brusdar Graterol, one day after returning from the IL, got injured again in his debut.
Garcia’s Past Success & Houston’s Current Success
One of the more interesting developments early last season was Luis García’s cutter usage. A pitch with 40% or higher whiff rates from 2021-23.
Usage rates
– 2021: 22.4%
– 2022: 29.5%
– 2023: 43.2%I was curious to see if that trend continued in 2024 when he returned. Oh, well,… pic.twitter.com/TTwUDSAzkM
— Astros Stats 📈 (@astro_numbers) August 19, 2024
In 2021, Garcia’s success was the Astros’ breakout player. In addition, he finished second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting that year. It was his first full season after debuting in 2020. Garcia’s cutter usage over the years has led to a boost in his whiff rate from 2021 to 2023. In 2021, it was 22.4%; in 2022, 29.5%; and in 2023, 43.2%.
Unfortunately, we must wait for the 2025 season to see Garcia in action. 2021 and 2022 were solid seasons for him, where he recorded winning records of 11-8 in 2021 and 15-8 in 2022. Garcia has been one of many now-injured pitchers who have provided the Astros with success in the postseason. That list also includes Justin Verlander, Lance McCullers Jr., Cristian Javier, and Jose Urquidy.
However, despite the absence of these talented pitchers since July 10th, the Astros have still been able to compete. The Astros had a rocky start to their season but ar been 9-1 in their last 10 games. With J.P. France also hurt, that makes Astros starters on the injured list. Given those setbacks, it’s pretty remarkable that they are still four games ahead in first place in the AL West.
Photo Credit: © Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
