Houston Astros ‘eager’ to get ‘reliable’ pitcher back

The Houston Astros have struggled a bit again recently, going 5-5 in their last 10 games.

However, just 4.5 games out of first place in the American League West, they are in a great position to prove why they are still the team to beat in the AL West and capture another division crown.

24-30 overall, the season was very different from previous years for the Astros.

Facing more injuries than ever, it’s hard to blame them for their early season struggles.

With players returning and finally being able to compete alongside most of their best players, Houston is expected to be much better than it has been in its first 54 games of the year.

They will also bring back Luis Garcia at some point this season, who MLB.com’s Theo DeRosa considers a player the Astros are “eager” to return from the injured list.

“Owner of a career 3.61 ERA, Garcia underwent Tommy John surgery last May after making just six starts in 2023. The right-hander was a reliable member of the Astros’ rotation in 2021 and 2022 and will be back with Hunter Brown struggling and Cristian Javier, Jose Urquidy and Lance McCullers Jr. also on the IL,” he wrote.

Garcia, 27, pitched last week at Minute Maid Park, taking the next step in his rehabilitation process.

As the right-hander continues to recover from his Tommy John surgery, he could be a big help if he returns to what he was before that injury.

Garcia has posted an ERA of 3.48 and 3.72 in his two full seasons in 2021 and 2022, also pitching over 155.0 innings in both years.

He’s certainly not the ace of this rotation, but has proven to be a reliable arm.

The Venezuela native will face hitters soon, another important step in getting him back on the mound at the major league level.