Astros' Garcia, after long TJ recovery, exits early

TORONTO -- Houston Astros right-hander Luis Garcia, who was making his 2nd commencement aft sitting retired much than 2 years portion recovering from Tommy John surgery, exited Tuesday's crippled astatine Toronto successful the 2nd inning with close elbow discomfort.

Garcia motioned to his limb and past to the dugout aft throwing an 88 mph changeup to Ernie Clement with 2 outs successful the second. He was intelligibly frustrated arsenic teammates joined him connected the mound, and helium near with trainers aft throwing conscionable 27 pitches, 14 for strikes.

He was replaced by AJ Blubaugh.

Garcia deed the erstwhile batter, Addison Barger, connected the ft with a first-pitch curveball.

The right-hander retired the broadside successful bid successful the archetypal inning. The 2nd batter, Nathan Lukes, was retired erstwhile his liner smacked disconnected Garcia's mitt and popped up down 2nd base, wherever shortstop Jeremy Pena made a sliding catch.

Garcia got the triumph implicit the Angels connected Sept. 1, allowing 3 hits and 3 runs successful six innings successful his archetypal commencement since May 1, 2023.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.