The Yankees were in need of another starter on Monday night due to a stretch that includes 13 games in as many days, and Deivi Garcia filled the role, only to be sent right back to the alternate site after the team’s 4-2 loss to the previously struggling Orioles.
It was a rough start for Garcia, who allowed a leadoff home run to Cedric Mullins to start the game, but the 21-year-old turned in four innings and allowed two runs, in a game where he felt he didn’t have his best stuff but grinded through a decent season debut.
“Definitely a learning experience, and a competitive one,” Garcia said through his interpreter after Monday’s loss. “I felt like I had to battle every single pitch.
It was a competitive outing for me. Every pitch I needed to battle in and try and execute competitive pitches.”
Garcia struggled with his command at times, walking three while scattering three hits, but he was able to limit the damage and avoid disaster in what was an audition for a potential rotation role if one of the Yanks’ many struggling starters can’t turn things around this season.
“After allowing that homer I didn’t want to let that affect me and the rest of the outing,” Garcia said. “Definitely learning how to have an effective mix of pitches,” Sometimes certain pitches aren’t as sharp as you would like and you have to find a rhythm. You have to find what mix of pitches is going to work out.”
Garcia figured to be in play for a regular starting role with the big-league club this scene, but his susceptibility to the home run and Domingo German’s strong spring led to Garcia being the odd-man out. German, after a rough start to the season, turned in his best outing last week, while Corey Kluber, Tuesday night’s starter, has been underwhelming this season, though that plays to his typical trajectory of being slow out of the gate. Garcia could see his number called again soon, but for now, it’s back to the alternate site, at least until minor league games begin.
But Garcia hasn’t found the lack of a minor league season to be too impactful on his sharpness on the mound, and didn’t think it was a factor in Monday’s outing.
“I don’t think that has affected me in any way,” Garcia said. “We’re still facing hitters and they’re quality hitters. You still have to make pitches and compete, and find a way to be ready and stay ready.”
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