Nationals' Luis Garcia: Cracks first long ball of spring
Rotowire
Garcia went 1-for-1 with two walks and a solo home run in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.
The second baseman got hold of a Valente Bellozo offering in the fourth inning for his first homer of the spring. Garcia is 3-for-8 with three walks against only one strikeout through his first four Grapefruit League appearances in camp, as the 24-year-old looks to demonstrate that his 2024 breakout was no fluke.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Luis Garcia: Back in action after illness
Rotowire
Garcia (illness) is starting at second base and batting cleanup in Wednesday's spring contest against the Marlins, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Garcia was out of commission for a few days while battling a sore throat and fever, but he's ready to roll now. The infielder is 2-for-7 with one RBI in his first three games during Grapefruit League action.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Luis Garcia: Dealing with illness
Rotowire
Garcia was scratched from the lineup ahead of Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins with an illness, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Garcia showed up to the ballpark Saturday with a sore throat and fever and was sent home. Expect Garcia to be shelved for a couple days, but it doesn't appear to be any sort of long-term issue for the Nationals' second baseman. Darren Baker stepped into Saturday's lineup in place of Garcia.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Luis Garcia: Late scratch Saturday
Rotowire
Garcia was scratched from the lineup ahead of Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
It's unknown why Garcia was taken out of the starting nine, but the Nationals should offer some clarity in the near future. Darren Baker will step in to cover second base and bat sixth.
Garcia and the Nationals agreed to a one-year contract worth $4.5 million to avoid arbitration Thursday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
Garcia enjoyed a breakout 2024 season, posting a career-best .162 ISO and 111 wRC+ across 528 plate appearances. He should play a key role in the middle of the Nationals lineup again in 2025 and will see a pay raise of roughly $2.6 million as compared to last season.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Luis Garcia: Homers, drives in two
Rotowire
Garcia went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in Sunday's loss to the Phillies.
He took Aaron Nola deep in the opening frame for his 18th home run of the year. Garcia later added an RBI single in the fifth, but the Nationals ultimately fell short in their season finale. The 24-year-old Garcia showed tremendous growth in 2024, setting career highs across the board. The infielder finishes his breakout season with a .282 batting average, 18 home runs, 70 RBI, 58 runs scored and 22 stolen bases in 140 games played.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Luis Garcia: Sitting down Sunday
Rotowire
Garcia is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.
The Nationals will go with Jose Tena at second base and Trey Lipscomb at third base, which shields Garcia from a lefty (Shota Imanaga) and affords him some extra rest for his banged-up right wrist. Garcia returned to the lineup Saturday after missing several games and notched a couple hits, though he was limited to designated-hitter duties. It's uncertain when he'll be back in the infield.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Luis Garcia: At DH Saturday
Rotowire
Garcia (wrist) will DH and bat third Saturday against the Cubs.
Garcia missed back-to-back games with soreness in his right wrist, but he'll return to the starting nine Saturday. Considering the pain is in his throwing arm, the Nationals could give Garcia a couple of days at DH before having him return to the field. Jose Tena is playing second base.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Luis Garcia: Remains out Friday
Rotowire
Garcia (wrist) remains out of the lineup for Friday's game versus the Cubs, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
It's the third straight start Garcia has missed due to soreness in his right wrist. He is considered day-to-day. Darren Baker will make a second straight start at the keystone while Garcia rests.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Luis Garcia: Sitting again Thursday
Rotowire
Garcia (wrist) isn't in the Nationals' lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Garcia will be missing his second straight start Thursday as a result of wrist discomfort that flared up during Tuesday's contest. As he continues to recover, Darren Baker will pick up a start at the keystone and bat eighth.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Luis Garcia: Absent from Wednesday's lineup
Rotowire
Garcia (wrist) is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
Garcia was removed from Tuesday's contest with right wrist discomfort, although the exit was deemed precautionary. With lefty Jose Quintana on the hill for the Mets, there's a good chance Garcia wouldn't have been starting even if he were 100 percent. Jose Tena will cover second base for the Nationals while Ildemaro Vargas occupies third.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Luis Garcia: Removed as precaution
Rotowire
Garcia was removed from Tuesday's game against the Mets due to right wrist discomfort, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
Garcia's wrist began bothering him after he struck out swinging in the third inning, though he was able to stay in on defense for another frame before Ildemaro Vargas replaced him in the fourth. Manager Dave Martinez noted that Garcia's removal was a precautionary move, so it's possible the 24-year-old returns to the starting nine for Wednesday's series finale.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Luis Garcia: Getting day off versus lefty
Rotowire
Garcia is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Mets, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
The lefty-hitting Garcia will take a seat for the series opener while southpaw Sean Manaea toes the rubber for the Mets. Ildemaro Vargas will enter the lineup as a replacement for Garcia, occupying third base while Jose Tena shifts over to the keystone.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Luis Garcia: Idle against southpaw
Rotowire
Garcia is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Atlanta.
Garcia will be joined on the bench by fellow left-handed hitter Joel Gallo as the Nationals stock up on extra right-handed bats to counter Atlanta southpaw Max Fried. The switch-hitting Ildemaro Vargas will enter the lineup in Garcia's stead, manning third base while batting eighth.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Luis Garcia: Sitting versus lefty
Rotowire
Garcia is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in Pittsburgh.
It's a day off for the left-handed hitting Garcia as the Pirates send southpaw Bailey Falter to the bump. The switch-hitting Ildemaro Vargas will start at second base and bat sixth in the series opener.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Luis Garcia: Not facing southpaw
Rotowire
Garcia is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.
With lefty Shota Imanaga on the mound for Chicago, Garcia will give way to Ildemaro Vargas at second base. Garcia is 29-for-84 (.345) with four home runs and six stolen bases in August.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Luis Garcia: Idle against lefty
Rotowire
Garcia is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Yankees.
The lefty-hitting Garcia will hit the bench in the series opener with the Yankees sending southpaw Nestor Cortes to the mound. Idlemaro Vargas will check in for Garcia in the Washington infield, occupying second base and batting eighth.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Luis Garcia: Sitting versus southpaw
Rotowire
Garcia is not in the lineup for Friday's contest in Atlanta, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Garcia has emerged as an everyday player, but the left-handed hitter will begin this one on the bench as Atlanta starts southpaw Chris Sale. Ildemaro Vargas will occupy second base for the Nationals.
