RHP Luis Garcia (Tommy John surgery) Expected return: Late July Garcia played catch on July 9 and will throw a bullpen session on July 10. He was supposed to play catch on July 8, but Hurricane Beryl forced the Astros to push the plan back by a day. https://www.mlb.com/astros/news/astros-injuries-and-roster-moves I am a bit more optimistic about Garcia than the others...
Velocity still on the low side (topping out around 93). Will see if this is either new arm slot/mechanics stuff… or is he evolving into a junk-ball pitcher because obviously something had to happen with the original TJ repair for it to take this long? At least he has better command of the off-speed stuff, as opposed to the last Astros starter who had to re-invent everything due to inabilities to rely on the fastball.
Most likely Coaches told him to hold back and Throw Low 90s, don't Overthrow and get injured. Take it easy. Focus on locating all of your pitches. Slow Arm buildup in velocity and stamina. Very happy to see Luis Garcia succeed. Cristian Javier, Spencer Arrighetti also.
I love Luis Dude has /had some of the best pitching talent I've seen from the Astros in a while . It's not so much that he had an electric arm , but that he had a great cutter , sweeper , and change ... Along with a mid 90's fastball. And when he was on he mixed very well. The delivery does look painful and I hope he can get a little looser . That last highlight was a pitch that very few MLB batters would swing at imo .
