David Chao, MD
2 min read • May 06, 2023
Posted in
Four days after he exited from a start with right elbow pain, the Astros announced 26-year-old Luis Garcia will undergo Tommy John surgery.
When Garcia left his May 1 start, the signs were ominous that Tommy John was a possibility. After the game, he told reporters that he didn’t hear a pop, but felt the pain in his elbow grow more intense the more he pitched.
Garcia, who had never landed on the IL before the incident, will miss the remainder of the season and his recovery will carry over into the start of next season.
In six starts this season, he was 2-2 with a 4.00 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 27 innings. Last season, he went 15-8 with a 3.72 ERA across 28 starts.
Houston entered Saturday with a 17-15 record and sat 1.5 games out of first place in the AL West.
Fellow right-handed starter Jose Urquidy went on the 15-day IL May 2, but should be able to return shortly after the minimum time missed.
Lance McCullers Jr. is still working his way back from the forearm injury he suffered on Feb. 14.
The team activated J.P. France to replace Garcia. France will make his major league debut on Saturday night against the Mariners.
Houston has the second-best odds to win the 2023 World Series at +650, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The Braves are the favorite at +500.
The Astros remain the favorite to win the AL West at -170.
Sign up here for our FREE weekly newsletter and you'll get the best NFL, CFB, NBA and MLB injury insights from our Pro Sports Doctors plus Free Picks delivered straight to your inbox to give you an edge in betting and fantasy! Right now you'll also get one FREE month of SIC Picks - our best injury-based picks - valued at up to $200. Details sent instantly upon providing email.
Written by David Chao, MD
