Pirates officially call up Jhostynxon Garcia as outfielder to start in right field vs. Cardinals
ST. LOUIS - The Pirates made official what they had considered on Monday, officially calling up outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia from Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of Tuesday's series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Pirates were between Garcia and one other player to fill the outfield opening left by Ryan O'Hearn's quad injury, suffered in Saturday's game. Jake Mangum was activated from the injured list and started in Sunday's game, but when Nick Yorke was optioned to Triple-A postgame, it opened a roster spot now filled by the 23-year-old nicknamed "The Password."
It's likely to be an extended opportunity for Garcia, as Pirates general manager Ben Cherington speculated Sunday that O'Hearn would miss around four weeks. It's an opportunity Garcia is excited for - in his first taste of the big leagues with the Boston Red Sox last season, Boston's outfield depth meant it was just a five-game cameo for him.
"This is a great opportunity," said Garcia, with Pirates major league coach Stephen Morales translating. "Like you said, the Red Sox last year wasn't the same one. It was shorter. But I think I feel like I have a really good chance to do my thing here."
Garcia will bat sixth and start in right field on Tuesday against Cardinals lefty Matthew Liberatore. Garcia's first name is pronounced JOES-tin-son.
Pirates manager Don Kelly called it an "extremely difficult decision" to call up Garcia, but felt he fit what the Pirates are looking for. Garcia was batting .158 in Indianapolis before lower back pain sidelined him for a few weeks, but is batting .368 in May between a rehab stint in Low-A Bradenton and his return to the Indians. Those Triple-A numbers include a 5 for 5 game with three homers Tuesday.
"He had a good week in Triple-A coming back off the injury," Kelly said. "He had a great spring training and he has a really exciting skill set he brings to the table. The power, he's got surprising speed, has a really good arm and plays really good outfield defense. Excited to have him here."
Having Garcia will help the Pirates in a number of spots. He's strong defensively and can play left, center or right field, giving the Pirates options. He hits lefties well, something the Pirates have struggled with so far this year. He also has legitimate power, coming off consecutive 20-plus homer years in the minors. He's expected to play most days, though Kelly said he will have some off days coming off of the injury.
It was those traits that intrigued the Pirates, who traded Johan Oviedo and two prospects to the Red Sox for Garcia and pitching prospect Jesus Travieso in December.
But with the Pirates struggling offensively, having been shut out in the final two games of a weekend sweep against the Philadelphia Phillies, Kelly wanted to downplay pressure on Garcia to be a spark.
"I think that goes for everybody - it's not on any one single hitter, it's not on any one single pitcher. It's a team collective," Kelly said.
"Hopefully Garcia doesn't feel that [pressure]," Kelly added. "I think when you get called up, you feel that pressure anyways of being up here, but I feel that's where that comfortability of having spring training, being around the guys and having success in spring will help him relax and feel a part of it rather than feeling like he has to be the guy."
Garcia did say that this experience feels different than his first callup. The nerves he felt then weren't the emotions he felt pregame.
"Feel a lot better, more comfortable, not being my first time," Garcia said. "First time, you get kind of not nervous but anxious. But that's not the case right now."
He's confident after a strong spring training (batting .405) and his 5 for 5 game on May 12.
Most importantly, he wants to take advantage of the chance he's been given.
"Very excited about the opportunity and happy to be here," Garcia said. "Just [hoping to] take full advantage of the opportunity."
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