:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69015313/1273262420.0.jpg)
The San Francisco Giants bullpen just took another hit, with their second season-ending surgery of the week. This time it’s right-handed reliever Rico Garcia who will be undergoing Tommy John surgery, ending his 2021 and likely keeping him out until halfway through the 2022 season, if such a thing happens.
The news comes via Hawaii’s KHON2, which cited Garcia — a Hawaiian — as its source. And the news comes just days after fellow right-handed reliever and Rule 5 selection Dedniel Nuñez was declared out for the season due to needing the same surgery.
Garcia was unlikely to make the Opening Day roster, but seemed likely to play a role this season at the Major League level after having two stints on the roster in 2020’s truncated season. Last year he made 12 appearances, and sported a 5.40 ERA and a 4.29 FIP, with 4 walks to 7 strikeouts in 10 innings. He had allowed 3 hits, 0 walks, and 1 earned run in 2.1 innings this spring, while striking out 3.
Season-ending injuries are always brutal, especially when they occur before the season even starts. Here’s wishing Garcia a successful rehab, and hopefully we see him on the mound sometime next season.