It’s not easy being a back-of-the-roster MLB pitcher. You can do everything right and still not catch a break.
That’s the case for Rico Garcia with the New York Mets.
On Thursday night, Garcia pitched 2.2 innings, retiring all eight batters he faced.
On Friday morning, the Mets designated Garcia, for assignment, removing him off the 40-man roster to make room for Kodai Senga’s return, according to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo.
Garcia is the definition of a journeyman, but in two outings and 4.2 innings with the Mets, he had surrendered just a single hit while striking out three.
But not only in the case of an injury return like Senga’s, but also just to get fresh arms in the bullpen after a long relief outing like that, guys like Garcia get the short straw.
He’s 31 years old now, out of Honolulu. The Rockies picked him in the 30th round of the 2016 draft after he starred at Hawaii Pacific University.
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He has pitched for six different teams in five scattered seasons: the Rockies in 2019, the Giants in 2020, the Orioles in 2022, the Athletics and Nationals in 2023 and now the Mets.
Garcia could be claimed off waivers, or he could wind up in Triple-A Syracuse, or he could become a free agent. That’s to be determined.
It’s just a tough break for him after one of his best MLB outings. ‘Tis the life of a journeyman reliever.
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