The Houston Astros will be without Luis Garcia indefinitely, according to a medical update provided before Friday’s game against the Oakland A’s.
Garcia, who is on the injured list for the first time in his MLB career, will miss the remainder of the 2023 season following ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction surgery, also known as Tommy John surgery. The Astros stated in a press release that the 26-year-old “is expected to return at some point during the 2024 season.”
For a pitcher, the return timetable from Tommy John surgery is typically 12 to 18 months. Garcia left a game in the first inning on May 1 after experiencing discomfort in his right elbow, with Friday marking the first news of his surgery taking place. He was 2-2 with a 4.00 ERA in six starts this season but appeared to be turning a corner, as his injury occurred following back-to-back scoreless outings.
Garcia has a 28-19 record and 3.61 ERA in a little over two full seasons at the MLB level. With 28 starts in each of the last two years, he had been among the most dependable arms on the roster prior to this setback. Given that Garcia is set to become a free agent after the 2024 season, it’ll be interesting to monitor how the Astros approach a potential contract extension with him. Garcia has spent his entire career in Houston’s organization, signing with the team as an international free agent in 2017.
The Astros entered Friday’s game against Oakland at 24-19, two games back of the Texas Rangers for first place in the AL West.
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