Philadelphia Phillies infielder Greg Garcia opted out of his contract with the team on Monday and was subsequently released. Garcia was with the Detroit Tigers in spring training but was granted his release when he didn't make the big league roster to begin the regular season. The 31-year-old utility bench man has a .245/.354/.339 career slash line in seven seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres. The San Diego native hit just .200/.279/.250 with no home runs, 11 RBI, six runs scored and a stolen base in 35 games (71 plate appearances) in the shortened 2020 season with the Friars. If he finds another team, it'll likely be on a minor league deal as a depth option in the infield. You can continue ignoring him in fantasy.
The Detroit Tigers signed infielder Greg Garcia to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training on Tuesday. Garcia became a free agent when the San Diego Padres non-tendered him following the 2020 season. The 31-year-old had only 71 plate appearances in the shortened 2020 campaign and hit .200/.279/.250 with a career-low .529 OPS in 35 games. He has never really been a regular in his seven big league seasons with the Cardinals and Padres, and Garcia has a career .245/.354/.339 slash line with a .693 OPS, 14 home runs, 99 RBI and seven stolen bases in 578 games. Garcia will mostly be a utility infielder/pinch hitter for Detroit while serving as depth behind Jeimer Candelario at the hot corner and Jonathan Schoop at the keystone. Because his playing time will be limited, Garcia won't be an option in mixed fantasy leagues.
San Diego Padres infielder Greg Garcia and outfielder Manuel Margot are taking over for second baseman Ian Kinsler and outfielder Hunter Renfroe, respectively, on Wednesday. Garcia is at the keystone and is hitting leadoff, while Margot is batting seventh and playing center field against Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly. Garcia is beginning to see more time at second base with Kinsler struggling, but the 29-year-old hasn't done much himself either, hitting .239 with a homer and six RBI. Garcia will be the more attractive deep DFS sleeper simply because he's setting the table on Wednesday.
The San Diego Padres claimed infielder Greg Garcia off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday. Garcia hit just .221/.309/.304 with three home runs and 15 RBI in 181 at-bats as a bench player for the Red Birds in 2018, so he obviously carries very minimal value in NL-only leagues. The good news is he could see more playing time in San Diego as a utility bat.
St. Louis Cardinals infielder Greg Garcia was activated from the paternity list on Thursday. The utility infielder ended up missing just two games. He'll return to a .254/.325/.388 line and continue working as a backup at all of the infield positions. Preston Guilmet was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.
St. Louis Cardinals infielder Greg Garcia was placed on the paternity leave list on Tuesday. He is expected back in time for the weekend series against the Reds in Cincinnati. Garcia has continued the role he's had for a while now as a versatile utility infielder for the Cardinals. He's hitting .254/.325/.388 so far this season.
Greg Garcia Exits Monday's Game With Back Tightness
St. Louis Cardinals infielder Greg Garcia was removed from Monday's game due to tightness in his lower back. Garcia took an awkward swing while at bat and was checked on by trainers, but he was allowed to remain in the game. He ended up hitting a single in the same at-bat but was later removed from the game. It seems like a minor injury, and Garcia should be considered day-to-day.
St. Louis Cardinals infielder Jedd Gyorko will sit Thursday night. Gyorko has been a nice player this year for fantasy owners due to both his power and his position eligibility. For the year Gyorko has hit .280 with 14 home runs, however he has been in a slump of late hitting just .159 over his past 44 at-bats. In his place and batting eighth tonight will be infielder Greg Garcia. Garcia is hitting .232 for the year and there should be more useful options in daily leagues tonight.
