Luis Garcia DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia (elbow) could start a game in the complex league this weekend, manager Joe Espada said before Tuesday's game against the visiting Colorado Rockies. That would be the beginning of a minor-league rehab assignment for Garcia, who's entering the closing stages of his recovery from last season's Tommy John surgery. He'll likely spend around 30 days on assignment before the Astros consider reinstating him from the 60-day injured list, but Garcia is a name to watch on fantasy waiver wires ahead of the mid-July All-Star break. In 27 innings last year, the 27-year-old Venezuelan right-hander registered a modest 4.00 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 31:10 K:BB in Houston's rotation.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia (elbow) was able to throw a successful bullpen session on Saturday. The right-hander is working his way back from Tommy John surgery he underwent in May of last year. The team has been taking it slow, but Garcia was able to throw 20 pitches on Saturday without any issues. The hope is that Garcia can continue throwing and will eventually go on a minor-league rehab assignment. The expectation is that Garcia will be able to rejoin the Astros' rotation mid-way through the season.

Houston Astros right-hander Luis Garcia (elbow) threw another bullpen session on Wednesday as he continues to rehab from Tommy John surgery that he had in May of 2023. Garcia started throwing bullpens in April and is taking a slow progression to eventually go out on a minor-league rehab assignment. The expectation is that he will be able to rejoin Houston's starting rotation at some point in the middle of the season. The 27-year-old will mostly likely not be activated from the injured list until the second half of the season after the All-Star break in mid-July. When healthy, Garcia has been quite intriguing for fantasy managers because of his ability to create plenty of swings and misses. However, given his long layoff, you should temper expectations for him in 2024 as he returns from Tommy John surgery.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia (elbow) threw another bullpen session this weekend as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery. He began throwing bullpen sessions in April and has not suffered any setbacks yet. His next step in the rehab process will be a stint in the minors, but the Astros are taking things slow with the young right-hander. The expectation is that he'll be able to return to the majors near midseason. Garcia was impressive in his last full campaign as he posted a 15-8 record, 3.72 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 28 starts in 2022. He is someone for fantasy managers to keep an eye on as he gets closer to his return date.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia (elbow) threw a bullpen session at Minute Maid Park ahead of Tuesday's game against the Atlanta Braves. Continuing to recuperate from Tommy John surgery, Garcia started tossing bullpens earlier in April and is slowly progressing toward eventually heading to a minor-league rehab assignment. The expectation is that he will be able to rejoin Houston's injury-ravaged rotation at some point during the middle of the season. Before his 2023 season came to a close, the 27-year-old right-hander posted a respectable 4.00 ERA (3.63 FIP), 1.29 WHIP, and 31:10 K:BB over 27 innings (six starts). The Astros called up Forrest Whitley on Tuesday for pitching help, but it wouldn't be surprising to see swingman Brandon Bielak be asked to eat some innings at some point.