Garcia struck out one batter over a scoreless ninth inning to earn a save against the Reds on Wednesday.
Kenley Jansen -- the Angels' primary closer throughout the campaign -- is dealing with a rib injury, so interim manager Ray Montgomery turned to Garcia with the team holding a one-run lead heading into the ninth inning. Garcia got the job done, retiring the side in order on 14 pitches (10 strikes). All three batters he faced were right-handed hitters, while southpaw Reid Detmers pitched the eighth and squared off against a lefty and a switch hitter among the four batters he encountered. Jansen is in no danger of losing his closing job, but until he gets back to full health, Garcia could be in the mix for save chances along with Detmers and potentially others.
... See More... See Less
Angels' Luis Garcia: Heading back to Anaheim
Rotowire
The Angels acquired Garcia and left-hander Andrew Chafin from the Nationals on Wednesday in exchange for left-hander Jake Eder and first baseman Sam Brown, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Garcia was dealt from the Angels to the Red Sox at last season's deadline and has now found his way back to Anaheim a year later. He has struggled in 2025, posting a 4.10 ERA and 31:18 K:BB over 37.1 innings between the Dodgers and Nationals. Garcia could wind up being part of the late-inning mix for the Angels, particularly if the club trades closer Kenley Jansen.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Luis Garcia: Heads to Washington
Rotowire
The Nationals signed Garcia on Tuesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Garcia was released by the Dodgers on Monday after being removed from the 40-man roster June 29. He joins the Nationals as they option Eduardo Salazar to Triple-A Rochester.
... See More... See Less
Luis Garcia: Released by Dodgers
Rotowire
The Dodgers released Garcia on Friday.
Garcia was removed from the 40-man roster in late June and is now out of the organization altogether after clearing waivers. The 38-year-old reliever holds a 5.27 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 24:16 K:BB over 27.1 innings in the majors this season.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Luis Garcia: Pushed off 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Dodgers designated Garcia for assignment Sunday.
With the Dodgers needing to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Edgardo Henriquez's (foot) return from the 60-day injured list, Garcia ended up being the casualty. Garcia had just returned from a month-long stint on the IL of his own due to an adductor strain, and after tossing a clean inning in Friday's 5-4 win over Kansas City, he unraveled during his appearance in Saturday's 9-5 loss, retiring just one batter while allowing three earned runs on four hits. The 38-year-old righty will now be exposed to waivers as a result of being DFA'd, but it's unclear how much interest he'll attract after pitching to a 5.27 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 24:16 K:BB over 27.1 innings in the majors this season.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Luis Garcia: Back off IL
Rotowire
The Dodgers activated Garcia (adductor) from the 15-day injured list Thursday.
Garcia has been shelved since early June due to a right adductor strain, but he's ready to roll after making one scoreless rehab appearance. Will Klein was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Luis Garcia: Could face hitters soon
Rotowire
Garcia (adductor) has been throwing bullpen sessions and expects to face live hitters soon, per MLB.com.
A right adductor strain caused Garcia to land on the IL on June 1, but the veteran reliever has since been able to resume tossing from a mound. Garcia may not be ready to be activated when eligible, but it sounds like he's on track to return by the end of the month. Garcia has posted a 4.50 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 23:15 K:BB with two wins and two holds through 26 appearances covering 26 innings this season.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Luis Garcia: Struggles in loss Tuesday
Rotowire
Garcia was charged with a blown save Tuesday against the Marlins, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out one batter over one inning.
Garcia entered in the bottom of the sixth inning with the Dodgers up one run, but by the end of the frame Miami had retaken the lead. The right-hander was hit pretty hard in the inning, as the Marlins managed two doubles and a single against him. Garcia pitched poorly at the beginning of the season but had been showing improvement prior to Tuesday, as he hadn't allowed a run over his previous eight innings spanning nine appearances. He's worked as a lower-leverage option for Los Angeles in his first campaign with the club.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Luis Garcia: To begin 2025 in big leagues
Rotowire
The Dodgers selected Garcia's contract from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday.
Garcia will be available out of the bullpen as his club will take on the Cubs in Tokyo during a two-game series set for March 18-19. He got off to a rocky start to the spring by surrendering three runs during his first appearance, but he finished camp by firing 4.1 scoreless frames, ultimately earning a spot on the 26-man roster.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Luis Garcia: Returns from IL
Rotowire
The Red Sox reinstated Garcia (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Saturday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
Garcia has been held out of action since late August due to inflammation in his right elbow, but he's now been cleared to return after throwing a scoreless inning during a rehab appearance in Triple-A on Tuesday. The 37-year-old reliever has allowed 13 earned runs in just 11.1 innings since joining the Red Sox, and he'll most likely work in middle relief during the final stretch. Cooper Criswell was optioned to Worcester in a corresponding move.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Luis Garcia: Placed on injured list
Rotowire
The Red Sox placed Garcia on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with right elbow inflammation, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Since joining the Red Sox in late July, Garcia has allowed 13 earned runs in just 11.1 innings out of the bullpen, and he'll now be held out of action for at least the next 15 days. Josh Winckowski was recalled from Triple-A Worcester to fill the open roster spot.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Luis Garcia: Traded to Boston
Rotowire
The Red Sox acquired Garcia from the Angels on Tuesday for an unspecified return, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Garcia briefly stepped in as the Halos' closer after the departure of Carlos Estevez but has now been traded himself. The 37-year-old Garcia joined Anaheim on a one-year deal during the offseason and has a 3.71 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 40:14 over 43.2 innings this year. He should serve as a setup man to closer Kenley Jansen, while Ben Joyce is primed to take over as the Angels' closer.
... See More... See Less
Angels' Luis Garcia: Stepping in as closer
Rotowire
Angels manager Ron Washington said Sunday that Garcia will take over as the club's primary closer, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.
The departure of Carlos Estevez leaves the Halos with a hole in the ninth inning, and Garcia will receive the first look as the team's new closer. Garcia has three saves and 12 holds with a 3.80 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 40:14 K:BB across 44 appearances this year. The veteran right-hander is also a candidate to be traded ahead of Tuesday's deadline given his expiring contact, in which case Ben Joyce would likely see most of those opportunities.
... See More... See Less
Angels' Luis Garcia: Notches third save
Rotowire
Garcia struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his third save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Astros.
Carlos Estevez had pitched both of the prior two days, giving up a run each time, so Angels manager Ron Washington turned to Garcia to wrap things up. The 37-year-old right-hander has never collected more than three saves in a season and his 5.06 ERA doesn't suggest he'll remain a reliable high-leverage option, but for now he seems to be the next man up when Estevez isn't available.
... See More... See Less
Angels' Luis Garcia: Nabs first save since 2022
Rotowire
Garcia earned the save over the Marlins on Tuesday after allowing one run on one hit and a walk in the ninth inning. He struck out a batter as well.
Garcia was called upon to protect a 3-0 lead in the ninth with usual closer Carlos Estevez presumably unavailable after pitching each of the last two days. Garcia served up a solo blast to Bryan De La Cruz but was able to close the door without any further harm. Garcia's now given up runs in both appearances though it appears he still has his manager's trust in late-game situations for now.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Luis Garcia: Struggling since return
Rotowire
Garcia was credited with a hold Sunday against the Giants despite giving up two runs on one hit and two walks over one-third of an inning.
Garcia threw just four of 16 pitches for a strike in the outing and also uncorked a wild pitch. Since returning from the injured list June 10, the right-hander has surrendered four runs on five hits and two walks over 1.2 innings across three appearances. Garcia tied for sixth in the NL with a career-best 20 holds last season, but he's posted an ugly 6.00 ERA and 1.67 WHIP overall in 21 frames this year. After Sunday's loss, Padres manager Bob Melvin hinted that the team may look to other options in high-leverage situations, saying, "We're trying to get Garcίa going...It hasn't worked to this point. We definitely need another guy down there, another righty," per Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Luis Garcia: Remains in setup role
Rotowire
Garcia picked up a hold against San Francisco on Wednesday, striking out the only batter he faced in the eighth inning.
When Josh Hader was demoted from the closer role nearly two weeks ago, Garcia was called upon for the Padres' next save chance. He converted that opportunity successfully, but Nick Martinez subsequently took over closing duties and notched the team's next four saves. With Martinez unavailable Wednesday, Garcia was used to face just one batter in the eighth frame while Hader closed out the game and picked up the save. It's unclear how Martinez and Hader will share ninth-inning duties moving forward, but it seems apparent that Garcia's role will be almost exclusively in a setup capacity. He's notched 20 holds and posted a 10.1 K/9 on the campaign, making him a solid target in fantasy leagues that count holds.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Luis Garcia: Notches third save
Rotowire
Garcia saved Saturday's 2-1 victory over Washington, allowing a single and hit-by-pitch in a scoreless ninth inning.
Manager Bob Melvin turned to Garcia to protect a one-run lead and he delivered with the help of a game-ending double play despite a pair of baserunners. All three of the 35-year-old's saves have come since July 31 and more opportunities could lie ahead with the news that Josh Hader would be receiving time off from closing duties after a rocky first few weeks with San Diego. Garcia sports a 3.40 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 48 strikeouts in 45 innings across 47 appearances.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Luis Garcia: Collects second save
Rotowire
Garcia retired both batters he faced to earn the save in Monday's 4-1 win over the Rockies.
Nick Martinez pitched a scoreless eighth inning but allowed two hits in the ninth. Garcia then entered and escaped the jam on just four pitches to earn his second save in as many days. The right-hander appeared to be the next man up after Taylor Rogers was removed from the closer role, but the Padres' acquisition of Josh Hader from the Brewers on Monday suggests Garcia's time in the ninth inning is soon to end. He's still been an effective high-leverage option with a 3.18 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 42:12 K:BB, two saves and 18 holds through 39.2 innings this year.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Luis Garcia: Picks up win Sunday
Rotowire
Garcia (4-2) earned the win over Pittsburgh on Sunday with a scoreless inning that included one strikeout.
Garcia was tasked with handling the top of the 10th inning for San Diego, and he kept the Pirates off the scoreboard with the help of an errant pitch that fortuitously resulted in Hoy Park being tagged out at home plate. The right-hander was credited with the win when Trent Grisham blasted a walkoff homer in the bottom of the frame. Garcia has been effective out of the bullpen for the Padres this season, posting a 2.95 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 18:6 K:BB across 18.1 innings. In addition to his four wins, he has notched nine holds.
