Astros' Luis Garcia Exits Second Start Post-Tommy John Surgery with Apparent Discomfort

Houston Astros pitcher Luis Garcia left his second start since returning from Tommy John surgery on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, after experiencing discomfort in the second inning against the Toronto Blue Jays. Garcia, whose velocity was noticeably down, called for trainers after throwing an 88 mph pitch and exited the game almost immediately. This incident comes just days after his return to the rotation on September 1, where he pitched six innings against the Los Angeles Angels, allowing three earned runs with no apparent concerns. Garcia had a long road back, undergoing Tommy John surgery in May 2023, missing the remainder of that season and all of 2024. He faced an initial setback in March 2024 due to elbow soreness during spring training but was cleared in July after nine minor-league rehab starts. His late-season return was anticipated to bolster the Astros' rotation as they contend for the AL West, and the team now hopes he avoids a significant setback.