Astros' starting pitcher Luis Garcia underwent Tommy John surgery in 2023 and hasn't pitched at the major league level since. Garcia has been recovering for more than two years, but his return to the Astros' rotation could be coming soon.
Garcia could return for the Astros as soon as this weekend against the Los Angeles Angels, according to The Athletic's Chandler Rome.
Garcia last pitched in Houston on May 1, 2023. The Astros' pitcher has been on a rehab assignment for nearly two months, since July 7.
Garcia Could Make Long-Awaited Return Soon
Garcia has made nine minor league rehab starts, with his latest going very well on Tuesday at Triple-A Sugar Land.
The Astros' pitcher threw six innings and gave up just one run, and struck out five batters. Garcia held a 3.30 ERA across his entire rehab assignment, and struck out 38 batters compared to just seven walks across 30 innings.
Garcia's rehab assignment has been longer than normal, but there's special considerations for pitcher's who are recovering from Garcia's type of injury.
Luis Garcia was great tonight in his rehab start for Sugar Land:
— Astros Future (@AstrosFuture) August 27, 2025
6 IP | 4 H | 1 R | 1 ER | 1 BB | 5 K
He was up to 93.5 MPH and generated 14 swings and misses. #Astros pic.twitter.com/xAOYdclrlz
"Pitchers are only allowed a maximum of 30 days on a minor-league rehab assignment, but baseball’s collective bargaining agreement has a provision for those who are rehabbing from 'UCL reconstruction surgery,'" Rome wrote. "Those players can agree to as many as three consecutive 10-day extensions, meaning Garcia could spend up to 60 days on a rehab assignment."
This would mean Garcia needs to return by Sept. 5, when the Astros take on the Texas Rangers. However, Garcia worked up to a near full-workload in his latest rehab assignment and is expected to return sooner.
Rome also noted that Garcia was originally going to join the Astros before their most recent road trip to Detroit and Baltimore, but his rehab assignment was extended for two more starts to build up his workload.
Luis Garcia has moved away from the shorter arm slot he was using earlier in his rehab. Chandler discusses it in his piece below. pic.twitter.com/iwxzBEXECv https://t.co/feNhfCXk92
— Daniel Meyer (@TheAstrosLocker) August 28, 2025
The Astros are deploying a six-man rotation for their current stretch of 13 consecutive games. Garcia could replace one of the Astros' six starters or be used in a piggy-back role with one of the current starters.
Christian Javier and Spencer Arrighetti would be the most likely to piggy-back with Garcia when he returns, as both pitchers are also coming back from injury.
The Astros currently lead the AL West with a 1.5 game lead over the Seattle Mariners. Houston is close to finally getting most of its starting pitching healthy just in time for the home stretch of the regular season before the postseason begins.