Astros’ Luis Garcia Exits Early Again—Is His Tommy John Comeback in Jeopardy?
It’s hard not to feel a knot in your stomach watching Luis Garcia’s recent outing. After a long, arduous journey back from Tommy John surgery, the Houston Astros’ ace made his highly anticipated return last week. But, in just his second start, trouble reared its head again. Midway through the second inning against the Toronto Blue Jays, Garcia appeared to grimace after delivering an 88-mph pitch to Ernie Clement, signaling discomfort that quickly forced the trainers to rush out from the dugout. He limped off the mound shortly after, leaving fans and the team holding their breath—what exactly happened to him remains unclear.
It’s particularly concerning given how Garcia’s velocity seemed off throughout that abbreviated start. Despite throwing 27 pitches — 14 for strikes — he managed to keep the Jays hitless and scoreless, but the warning signs are there. This isn’t just a minor hiccup for a player who hasn’t pitched a Major League game since May 2023, following the costly surgery that shelved him for the entire 2023 season and most of 2024. And even more troubling? Earlier this year, Garcia was sidelined again with elbow soreness during spring training, already an ominous red flag on the road back.
For a pitcher who once dazzled with a 3.72 ERA across 28 starts in 2022 and played a pivotal role in clinching a World Series title, the stakes could hardly be higher. Garcia was expected to inject some needed strength as Houston fights tight battles in the AL West, but now everyone’s left hoping this setback won’t derail what’s been a painstaking return to form. It’s a tense moment for Astros fans—and frankly, for anyone who follows the game closely, it’s a stark reminder of how fragile success can be on the mound.
This is concerning.
Houston Astros starter Luis Garcia returned to the rotation last week for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023.
On Tuesday, Garcia was pulled in the second inning of his second start since his return. Garcia appeared to experience discomfort after throwing an 88-mph pitch to Toronto Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement.
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Garcia then called for trainers, who came out of the Astros dugout to meet him on the mound. He almost immediately left the game after a brief discussion.
The nature of what was ailing Garcia wasn’t immediately clear.
Per The Athletic’s Chandler Rome, Garcia’s velocity was down throughout his start prior to his exit with two outs in the second inning. Garcia threw 27 pitches against the Blue Jays, 14 of them for strikes. He did not allow a hit or a run.
Luis Garcia, left, appeared to immediately realize that something was wrong after throwing a pitch in the second inning.
(Kevin Sousa via Getty Images)
Garcia had a long road to return from Tommy John
Prior to his return to the mound on Sept. 1, Garcia hadn’t pitched in an MLB game since May 1, 2023, a span of more than two years. He had Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for the remainder of the 2023 season and the entirety of 2024.
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Garcia was slated to face live hitters during spring training in March, but was shut down due to elbow soreness. Garcia was cleared again in July and pitched nine minor-league rehab starts before being called up for a start against the Los Angeles Angels on Sept. 1.
Garcia pitched six innings against the Angels, allowing three earned runs in Houston’s 8-3 win. He recorded six strikeouts and no walks and was credited with the win. There were no apparent concerns coming out of the 79-pitch outing, and Garcia remained in the rotation for Tuesday’s start.
Garcia, 28, finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting during his first full season with the Astros in 2021. He made 28 starts the following season with a 3.72 ERA and helped Houston to a World Series championship.
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He pitched five shutout innings that postseason in a 1-0 win over the Seattle Mariners to clinch the ALDS.
Garcia’s late-season return was expected to boost Houston’s rotation as it looks to fend off the Mariners in a tight race for the AL West crown. Now Garcia and the Astros are left to hope he didn’t suffer a significant setback after returning from Tommy John surgery.
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