LUIS GARCÍA JR. NEWS

Cracks first long ball of spring Garcia went 1-for-1 with two walks and a solo home run in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.

Impact 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.

MARCH 6 • ROTOWIRE

Back in action after illness Garcia (illness) is starting at second base and batting cleanup in Wednesday's spring contest against the Marlins, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact 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.

MARCH 5 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with illness 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.

Impact 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.

MARCH 2 • ROTOWIRE

Late scratch Saturday Garcia was scratched from the lineup ahead of Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact 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.

MARCH 1 • ROTOWIRE

Agrees to deal with Nats 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.

Impact 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.

JANUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Luis Garcia landing spots: 3 potential destinations for veteran reliever after disastrous 2024 campaign It was not the season that Luis Garcia would have wanted coming into 2024.

DECEMBER 31, 2024 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Homers, drives in two Garcia went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in Sunday's loss to the Phillies.

Impact Garcia 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 6-3 in the 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/.318/.444 slash line with 18 home runs, 70 RBI, 58 runs scored and 22 stolen bases in 140 games played.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting down Sunday Garcia is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

Impact The Nats will go with Jose Tena at second base and Trey Lipscomb at third, 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 DH duty and it's uncertain when he'll be back in the field.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

At DH Saturday Garcia (wrist) will DH at bat third Saturday against the Cubs.

Impact 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 Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out Friday Garcia (wrist) remains out of the lineup for Friday's game versus the Cubs, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting again Thursday Garcia (wrist) isn't in the Nationals' lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Absent from Wednesday's lineup Garcia (wrist) is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Impact 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 was 100 percent. Jose Tena will cover second base for the Nationals while Ildemaro Vargas occupies third.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Removed as precaution Garcia was removed from Tuesday's game against the Mets due to right wrist discomfort, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Getting day off versus lefty Garcia is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Mets, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Idle against southpaw Garcia is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Atlanta.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting versus lefty Garcia is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in Pittsburgh.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Not facing southpaw Garcia is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Idle against lefty Garcia is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Yankees.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting versus southpaw Garcia is not in the lineup for Friday's contest in Atlanta, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting versus southpaw Garcia is not in the lineup for Friday's contest in Atlanta, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Garcia has been an everyday guy for most of the second half rather than being platooned, 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.

AUGUST 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Shows off power and speed Garcia went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run and a stolen base Thursday against the Giants.

Impact Garcia's two-out, two-strike, game-tying three-run ninth-inning blast was belted off San Francisco closer Camilo Doval and was Garcia's 14th of the season. Garcia added a single earlier in the game, representing his 26th multi-hit effort of the campaign while also collecting his 19th steal. It's been a breakout season for the 24-year-old second baseman, who over 365 at-bats has put together a .290 average with 14 homers, 56 RBI, 43 runs and 19 steals.

AUGUST 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting against left-hander Garcia is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

Impact The left-handed hitting Garcia has been scorching hot lately, but with lefty Blake Snell on the bump for the Giants, he'll begin this one on the bench. Ildemaro Vargas will take over at second base and bat fifth Wednesday.

AUGUST 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Busy on basepaths again Garcia went 1-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in Monday's loss to the Giants.

Impact The 24-year-old second baseman came into 2024 with just 13 career stolen bases in the majors, but Monday's pilfer was his 18th in 21 attempts this season. Garcia's on pace for career highs nearly across the board in a breakout campaign, slashing .290/.324/.459 through 97 games with 13 homers, 40 runs and 53 RBI, and he's been blazing hot of late -- over his last 24 games, he boasts a .395/.435/.686 slash line with six long balls and seven steals.

AUGUST 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Stays hot Garcia went 2-for-4 with a solo home run during Sunday's 4-3 win over the Brewers.

Impact Garcia launched a solo home run off Tobias Myers in the first inning, giving the second baseman his second homer in as many nights. Garcia finishes the three-game series with Milwaukee 8-for-12 with two home runs, five runs scored and a pair of stolen bases. He has a .783 OPS in 369 plate appearances this season.

AUGUST 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Fills stat sheet in win Garcia went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, three runs scored and a stolen base in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Brewers.

Impact Garcia doubled and scored in the first inning and hit a solo home run in the third. He then singled, stole second and scored again in the fifth. The second baseman slashed .333/.375/.573 in July and has opened August with two three-hit efforts, a homer and two steals. On the year, he is hitting .287 with 12 long balls and 17 stolen bases across 365 plate appearances.

AUGUST 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE