The Phillies introduced that catcher Aramis Garcia, who was designated for task a few days in the past, has cleared waivers and been despatched outright to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He has the precise to elect free company but it surely’s not but clear if he has chosen to take action.
Garcia, 31, signed a minor league take care of the Phillies within the offseason. He received into 74 video games on the Triple-A degree however with out a lot to point out for it. He did hit eight house runs and steal six bases however he solely walked 4.4% of the time and was punched out at a 35.6% price. His total batting line was .163/.219/.287.
Regardless of these tough outcomes, the Phils wanted an additional catcher earlier this month. J.T. Realmuto had fouled a ball of his knee and wanted to take a number of days off, leaving Garrett Stubbs because the membership’s major catcher, at the least briefly. Rafael Marchán can be on the membership’s 40-man however was coping with a shoulder impingement not too long ago, per Matt Gelb of The Athletic on X. Garcia was chosen to the roster to again up Stubbs and received into three video games, going hitless in seven plate appearances, hanging out thrice. As Realmuto received previous his knee damage, Garcia grew to become expendable and was nudged off the roster.
Garcia has by no means hit a lot in his profession. Along with his stint with the Phils this yr, he has additionally suited up for the Giants, Athletics and Reds in earlier seasons. He presently sports activities a batting line of .211/.248/.325 in 327 large league plate appearances. However his protection is pretty nicely regarded, making him a succesful depth choice regardless of the lackluster bat.
Gamers with at the least three years of service time or a earlier profession outright have the precise to reject outright assignments and elect free company. Garcia qualifies on each counts and may return to the open market. Nonetheless, at this stage of the calendar, he would possibly determine to easily stick with the Phils. He wouldn’t be postseason eligible with another membership, whereas enjoying playoff video games with the Phils could possibly be doable if both Realmuto or Stubbs get damage within the coming weeks.
If he isn’t chosen within the coming weeks, he could be eligible without spending a dime company within the offseason. That’s the case for all gamers with at the least three years of service time who’re outrighted off a 40-man roster through the marketing campaign and never re-selected earlier than the winter.