Luis Garcia, who recently was reinstated from the 60-day injured list impressed in his season debut for the Astros today. This marked his first MLB appearance since 2023 after rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. Garcia went six innings, surrendering three hits and three runs. Garcia struck out six and showing great control, did not issue a walk.
Apart from three runs via two home runs, Garcia had a great outing earning himself a quality start and leaving the game in line for the win behind five runs from the Astros offense. A much needed result for an Astros squad that has lost four out of their last seven games. Astros fans will also be encouraged to see Garcia's pitch count at 79, fully stretched out and ready to go deep in games after rejoining the rotation. After losing Ronel Blanco for the season due to a right elbow injury, Garcia's activation couldn't have come at a better time.
Now, heading into the postseason, Houston will have a very talented four-man rotation. Headlined by Cy Young Award candidate Hunter Brown and left-handed ace Framber Valdez, Luis Garcia will join Christian Javier at the back-end of a postseason rotation. Javier, like Garcia also just returned from injury. Both of these players were vital pieces to the Astros' 2022 Championship team and may be expected to play an even larger role this October.
If they're able to make the postseason roster, struggling starters Lance McCullers Jr., Spencer Arrighetti, and Jason Alexander are likely to be moved to the bullpen.