The New York Mets have acquired right-handed pitcher Rico Garcia off waivers from the Yankees, as reported by Ari Alexander. This move comes after Garcia was designated for assignment by New York just a week ago. With Garcia out of options, the Mets will need to make adjustments to both their active and 40-man rosters to accommodate him.
Garcia, 31, initially signed a minor league contract with the Mets during the offseason and performed at Triple-A Syracuse. Over 30 and a third innings, he recorded a strikeout rate of 27.4% but struggled with control, resulting in a 14.8% walk rate and a 4.45 earned run average. Despite these challenges, the Mets are looking to bolster their depleted bullpen, which has been significantly affected by injuries to several key pitchers including A.J. Minter, Danny Young, and others.
After being elevated to the major league roster in early July, Garcia’s time with the Yankees was short-lived, as he was designated for assignment again shortly thereafter. In his recent appearances, he pitched 7 and a third innings, during which he surrendered three earned runs, four hits, and two walks while striking out five batters.
As the trade deadline approaches next week, Garcia’s position with the Mets appears uncertain. However, his addition to the roster suggests that the team is actively seeking solutions to enhance their bullpen strength amidst ongoing injury challenges. With the potential for further reinforcements on the horizon, Garcia’s performance will be crucial in the coming days.
This transaction is an example of how teams continuously adapt to dynamically changing conditions within their rosters, demonstrating both resilience and strategic planning in the face of adversity.