Right-hander and the Houston Astros have avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal worth $1,875,000. The agreement matches the salary Garcia earned last year, despite not pitching in the major leagues as he recovered from Tommy John surgery.
Garcia, 28, underwent surgery on May 19, 2023, after being sidelined by the injury. His recovery included two minor league appearances on June 28 and July 4, but his return to form has been gradual. Over his career, Garcia has a solid record of 28-19 with a 3.61 ERA in 63 starts and six relief appearances from 2020 to 2023. Additionally, he represented Venezuela in the 2023 World Baseball Classic before his injury.
The Astros still have seven players eligible for arbitration, including key contributors like right-hander Bryan Abreu, left-hander Framber Valdez, and shortstop Jeremy Peña.
Other players set to exchange proposed salaries with the team are third baseman Isaac Paredes and outfielders Mauricio Dubón, Chas McCormick, and Jake Meyers.
Garcia’s return could bolster Houston’s pitching staff as they aim for another strong season. With his history of solid performances and the Astros’ track record of developing pitching talent, Garcia’s comeback will be closely watched as he works to regain his form and contribute to the team’s success in 2024.
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