Astros’ Luis García exits with elbow discomfort in second start back from Tommy John rehab

HOUSTON — Houston Astros right-hander Luis García left Tuesday night’s 4-3, 10-inning loss to the Toronto Blue Jays after two innings because of elbow discomfort, a setback in just his second start back from an extended Tommy John surgery rehabilitation.

García, who had thrown 28 pitches, signaled to the bullpen and pointed to his elbow after an 88 mph pitch that missed the strike zone to Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement. Manager Joe Espada and a team trainer went out to the mound before the right-hander was removed. A.J. Blubaugh relieved García and worked through the remainder of the second inning.

"It was a punch to the gut. He’s worked so hard to get back," Espada said after the game. "Just to see him call us and point to his elbow, it’s tough. [A.J.] Blubaugh came in and picked us up. Did a terrific job, but again the Luis blow, for the team and for him personally." Espada told reporters he did not have further information on García’s condition, according to The Athletic.

García declined to speak with the media through a team spokesperson, saying he wanted to wait until the full extent of any injury was known.

García underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2023 and experienced multiple setbacks during his recovery, delaying his return to the major-league mound until Sept. 1, 2025. In his season debut after the rehab, García pitched six innings and allowed three runs.

The early exit disrupted what had been a brief return to the rotation and heightened concerns about an Astros staff already coping with injuries and limited depth. Houston’s loss to Toronto pushed the game into extra innings, but the club’s immediate focus after the game was the health of García and the condition of his surgically repaired elbow.

Team officials did not provide diagnostic details or an updated timetable for García’s availability. The Astros are expected to evaluate the right-hander further in the coming days, with imaging or further medical examinations likely to determine whether he will require additional rest, treatment or a trip to the injured list.

García’s emergence as a rotation staple before his surgery had been a key element of Houston’s pitching mix. His extended rehab — spanning roughly 28 months from surgery to his Sept. 1 return — was marked by intermittent progress and setbacks reported by the team during his recovery process.

With García unavailable for the remainder of Tuesday’s outing, Blubaugh and the Astros bullpen covered innings as Houston fell to Toronto at Rogers Centre. The team will monitor García’s status and provide updates as medical evaluations are completed.