The Phillies introduced that catcher Aramis Garcia, who was designated for project a few days in the past, has cleared waivers and been despatched outright to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He has the suitable to elect free company but it surely’s not but clear if he has chosen to take action.
Garcia, 31, signed a minor league cope with the Phillies within the offseason. He obtained 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% fee. His general 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 just a few 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 lately, per Matt Gelb of The Athletic on X. Garcia was chosen to the roster to again up Stubbs and obtained into three video games, going hitless in seven plate appearances, placing out thrice. As Realmuto obtained previous his knee harm, 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 12 months, he has additionally suited up for the Giants, Athletics and Reds in earlier seasons. He at present sports activities a batting line of .211/.248/.325 in 327 huge league plate appearances. However his protection is pretty properly 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 suitable to reject outright assignments and elect free company. Garcia qualifies on each counts and might 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 every other membership, whereas enjoying playoff video games with the Phils might be potential 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 in the course of the marketing campaign and never re-selected earlier than the winter.