Pirates’ Key Bullpen Addition Suffering From Arm Issue

This is not what the Pittsburgh Pirates had in mind when they dipped their toes into the free agent market to sign what appeared to be a strong piece for their bullpen. Jarlin Garcia has been getting absolutely tattooed in spring training, and now we're starting to understand why. 

Jarlín García was removed from today's game with left arm tightness, per the Pirates. He is currently being evaluated.

— Justice delos Santos (@justdelossantos) March 4, 2023

The former San Francisco Giants lefty was pulled from Saturday's game with "left arm tightness" after allowing some serious contact, having four of the five balls hit against him leaving the bat at 102.2 mph or higher. He has a 23.14 ERA thus far this spring. 

Jarlin Garcia definitely has injury concerns. It’s why he took so long to sign and it was cut from a 2 year deal to a 1 + 1. No question he has been the Pirates worst pitcher in camp.

— Pittsburgh Pirates Rant Podcast (@BrianCornell16) March 4, 2023

Garcia signed a one-year, $2.25M deal with the Pirates this past winter, after posting an impressive 2.84 ERA over three seasons in the Giants' bullpen, to go along with a 1.07 WHIP and a 138:43 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 152 innings.  Last season, he had a 3.74 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 7.8 K/9 in 58 outings.

Garcia became a free agent for the first time this winter, after earning $1.75M in his last year of arbitration with the Giants. They decided to DFA him after the season. 

The Pirates also hold a $3.25M club option on Garcia for 2024, though with his performance thus far, we can put that decision on hold for now.

Photo: Dave Nelson-USA TODAY Sports