Astros' Garcia Shuts Down Recovery with Elbow Soreness

Luis Garcia, the Houston Astros pitcher, has been sidelined due to soreness in his right elbow, a setback in his recovery from Tommy John surgery performed in May 2023. Scheduled to throw a live batting practice session, Garcia will now undergo further evaluation by team doctors, as his return to the mound has faced multiple delays since his initial surgery. The Astros had hoped to count on Garcia along with fellow rehabbing pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. for early-season depth in their rotation; however, both players are currently facing challenges in their recoveries. Garcia, who was a standout in 2022 with a 3.72 ERA, has not pitched in a Major League game since May 2023 and has struggled with his rehabilitation process. The team's pitching staff will rely on other options, including Framber Valdez and Hunter Brown, while they wait for Garcia's condition to improve. The evaluation results will be crucial in determining the timeline for his potential return to the Astros' lineup.