Luis García Jr. - Page 16 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Not guaranteed roster spot Garcia could wind up beginning the season at Triple-A if he doesn't prove to manager Dave Martinez he's ready for an everyday role, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Impact Prior to Friday's spring-training opener against the Marlins, Martinez indicated that he viewed veteran Alcides Escobar as his starting shortstop, not Garcia. "I want to make sure that Luis, when he's in the big leagues, that he's going to stay," Martinez said by way of explanation. "I really don't want him to platoon; I want him to play every day. And he did a lot better last year against left-handed pitching, which was good, so I want to see him consistently do the little things every day." The 21-year-old Garcia was assumed to be the replacement for Trea Turner at short as the Nationals re-tool around younger players who can grow along with Juan Soto, so Martinez's statement could be seen simply as a way to motivate the youngster at the beginning of camp. On the other hand, Garcia's .242/.275/.411 slash line in 70 big-league games last season does suggest he still has plenty to learn at the plate, even if a return to Triple-A seems unnecessary after he posted a .303/.371/.599 line with 13 homers in 37 games for Rochester in 2021.

MARCH 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to settle in at shortstop Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Sunday that Garcia, who finished the 2021 season on the injured list with a strained oblique, is healthy again and will focus on playing shorts...

Impact Martinez added that Garcia will continue to get reps at second base as well, but the skipper noted that the 21-year-old slimmed down this offseason with the aim of improving his agility and being better equipped to handle shortstop. Even if Garcia isn't able to show enough defensive polish to stick at shortstop throughout the season, he should have a consistent role at one of the everyday spots, as the Nationals can always shift Cesar Hernandez over to third base to open up the keystone for Garcia if needed. While Garcia's production over his first two seasons with Washington hasn't been particularly fantasy-friendly, the fact that he's already accrued 386 plate appearances in the majors at an age when most his contemporaries are in the lower levels of the minors bodes well for his long-term outlook.

MARCH 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

2021 BBWAA Award Finalists List Announced Monday, Nov. 15 AL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year — Randy Arozarena, Tampa Bay; Wander Franco, Tampa Bay; Luis Garcia, Houston...

NOVEMBER 9, 2021 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM

Moves to injured list Garcia was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a strained left oblique.

Impact Garcia will end up missing the final three games of the season due to the oblique injury. The 21-year-old appeared in 70 games this season and posted a .242/.275/.411 slash line with six homers, 18 doubles, 22 RBI and 29 runs in 247 plate appearances.

OCTOBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting in finale Garcia (ribs) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Garcia didn't play in either of the first two games of the weekend while contending with soreness in the left side of his ribcage, and Washington will presumably look to stay away from him in its season finale. Assuming Garcia goes unused Sunday, he'll wrap up the 2021 campaign with a .242 batting average to go with six home runs, 29 runs and 22 RBI across 247 plate appearances in 70 games.

OCTOBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Battling rib issue Garcia remains out of the lineup Saturday against Boston due to soreness in his rib cage, Maria Torres of The Athletic reports.

Impact Garcia will miss his second straight game with the issue, and it's very possible he's already played his last game of the season, as the Nationals have no reason to risk him aggravating anything on the last day of the campaign. If that's the case, he'll end the year with a .242/.275/.411 line across 70 games. Jordy Mercer will make another start at second base in his absence.

OCTOBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Friday Garcia is out of the lineup Friday against the Red Sox.

Impact Garcia started the past 11 games and will head to the bench after hitting .298/.313/.468 with one homer, five doubles, 10 RBI and four runs during that span. Jordy Mercer will start at the keystone with lefty Eduardo Rodriguez pitching for Boston.

OCTOBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Hit streak ends Garcia went 0-for-4 with a strikeout Tuesday in the Nationals' 3-1 loss to the Rockies.

Impact Garcia has now been held hitless just twice in his last 11 games, with the 21-year-old infielder slashing .295/.295/.455 to go with a home run, nine RBI and three runs over that stretch. The strong finish to the campaign should put Garcia on the radar as a late-round flier in deeper mixed leagues heading into 2022.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Third straight two-hit effort Garcia went 2-for-5 with a solo homer run in a 7-5 win over the Marlins on Wednesday.

Impact Garcia strung together his third consecutive two-hit performance, including a homer off Miami starter Elieser Hernandez in the fourth inning that extended Washington's lead to 4-0. Garcia is hitting .286 with 12 extra-base hits over 77 at-bats in September, and he's driven in a run in four straight games.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Extends RBI streak Garcia went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored Tuesday in the Nationals' 7-1 win over the Marlins.

Impact Garcia has plated a run in three consecutive contests and four of his last five, and his improved production at the plate of late coupled with his stable role should put him in consideration for a pickup in deeper mixed leagues where available. He'll start at second base in Wednesday's series finale in Miami, batting eighth.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting Saturday Garcia is not in Saturday's lineup against the Rockies, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Garcia has now been out of the lineup for two of the team's last three games, though he did appear as a pinch hitter Wednesday. Jordy Mercer will start at second base in Garcia's place.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Riding pine Wednesday Garcia isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Marlins, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Garcia will get a rare day off after he went 3-for-11 with a homer, two runs and a strikeout across the last three games. Jordy Mercer will start at the keystone and bat seventh.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Pops fourth homer Garcia went 2-for-5 with a double, a solo home run and an additional run scored in Thursday's loss to Atlanta.

Impact Garcia is quietly putting together a nice little stretch as the regular second baseman for Washington; he's now 14-for-44 with nine extra-base hits (seven doubles, one triple, one homer) in his last 10 games. He's not much of a stolen-base threat, but it's nice to see Garcia enjoy some big-league success after his initial struggles upon breaking in at age 20.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Offensive slide continues Garcia went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in Sunday's 9-4 loss to the Mets.

Impact Garcia closed the weekend with back-to-back hitless games, dropping his average to .211 in August. Though the 21-year-old is viewed as a cornerstone in the Nationals' middle infield for years to come and is locked into an everyday role, he's not yet producing enough to warrant interest outside of NL-only leagues.

AUGUST 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Flashes newfound power Garcia went 2-for-4 with two solo home runs in Wednesday's 9-5 loss to the Phillies.

Impact The 21-year-old took Chase Anderson deep in the second inning before turning around a Matt Moore offering in the seventh. Garcia showed signs of emerging as a power threat at Triple-A this season, launching 13 homers in 37 games, and he's carried that forward into his latest stint in the majors, going yard three times in the last six games. He's still a work in progress at the plate, but Garcia's development will be key for the Nats' offense as the team rebuilds around Juan Soto.

AUGUST 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Shifts to shortstop Saturday Garcia got the start at shortstop Saturday and hit fifth, going 1-for-4 in a 6-3 loss to the Cubs.

Impact Alcides Escobar, who was the shortstop Friday, got the night off while Adrian Sanchez took over at second base. With Trea Turner (COVID-19) now a Dodger, Garcia could be the Nats' shortstop of the future, but the team will likely spend the next two months deciding which middle infield position is the best fit as his long-term home. The 21-year-old is batting only .200 (6-for-30) in the majors this year, but his .303/.371/.599 slash line with 13 homers in 37 games for Triple-A Rochester represented a huge step forward in his offensive development.

AUGUST 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Homers in second inning Garcia went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a strikeout in Friday's 4-3 win over the Cubs.

Impact Garcia was called up by the Nationals on Wednesday, and he put the team on the board with his first home run of the season Friday. The 21-year-old will likely serve as the primary second baseman for the major-league club after Trea Turner (illness) and Josh Harrison were recently traded.

JULY 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Called up by Washington Garcia was recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Impact The 21-year-old had a brief stay in the majors in mid-June and will rejoin the big-league club Wednesday after Trea Turner tested positive for COVID-19. Garcia could see some playing time until Turner is cleared to rejoin the team, though his exact role may not come into focus for a bit until the extent of the potential COVID outbreak is known.

JULY 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Returns from injured list Garcia (undisclosed) was reinstated from the 7-day minor-league injured list Tuesday, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Impact Garcia had been out since June 25 due to an unspecified injury, but he returned to the lineup at Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday and went 0-for-3. The 21-year-old should be available for the minor-league club going forward and could return to the big-league roster at some point.

JULY 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

On shelf at Triple-A Garcia has not played for Triple-A Rochester since June 25 due to an undisclosed injury, Sal Maiorana of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports.

Impact The 21-year-old homered in his first at-bat June 25, his fourth long ball in three days at Triple-A, but then exited the game and hasn't suited up since. The injury explains why Garcia wasn't called up recently when the Nationals dealt with some injuries on their infield, notably to Trea Turner. Until the team released word on what Garcia is dealing with, there's no way to predict when he might see game action or when he might be in line for a return to the majors, but his .383/.456/.767 slash line over 15 games in June for Rochester was very encouraging.

JULY 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Moves back to Triple-A The Nationals optioned Garcia to Triple-A Rochester on Sunday.

Impact Garcia looked like he could be moving into a large-side platoon role last week when Starlin Castro landed on the restricted list, but Castro was only away from the team for two days. With Washington back at full strength in the infield, playing time wasn't going to be available for Garcia, who will head back to the minors in order to play on an everyday basis.

JUNE 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Takes seat Friday Garcia is out of the lineup Friday against the Mets.

Impact The 21-year-old was expected to start against right-handed pitching with Starlin Castro (personal) on the restricted list, but lefty Joey Lucchesi is starting for New York. Castro was actually reinstated to the active roster Friday, though he'll sit for a day before rejoining the lineup while Jordy Mercer starts at third base. According to Maria Torres of The Athletic, a return trip to the minors wouldn't be surprising for Garcia since Washington is back up to full strength in the infield. The Nationals also likely will need outfield depth with Andrew Stevenson (oblique) sidelined.

JUNE 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Likely to play regularly vs. RHPs Garcia, who was called up from Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday, is expected to see regular starts at second base versus right-handed pitching while Starlin Castro (personal) remain...

Impact The 21-year-old will occupy the keystone and bat sixth Wednesday against the Pirates, while Jordy Mercer picks up the start at Castro's normal spot at third base. Meanwhile, Josh Harrison is sitting out the series finale in what amounts to a rest day, but he should be a fixture in the lineup against both right- and left-handed pitching. The lefty-hitting Garcia and righty-hitting Mercer will likely form a de facto platoon, with Garcia starting at second base and Harrison starting at third base versus right-handed pitching.

JUNE 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled by Nationals Garcia was recalled by the Nationals on Wednesday, Maria Torres of The Athletic reports.

Impact Garcia was sent to Triple-A Rochester at the end of May, and he hit .319 with three home runs, two doubles, 11 RBI and nine runs in 11 games during his most recent stint in the minors. He'll likely fill a depth role for Washington while Starlin Castro (undisclosed) is on the restricted list.

JUNE 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Triple-A Garcia (hamstring) was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Sunday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Garcia left Saturday's matinee with a hamstring cramp but didn't appear off the bench in Sunday's loss to the Brewers. He'll now return to the minors after he went 1-for-5 with a triple, a run and a strikeout in three appearances during his stint with the major-league club.

MAY 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

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