Avisail Garcia determined to make an impact after an underwhelming 2022 season
In his first start back for the Marlins after being sidelined for three months due to back discomfort, right fielder Avisail Garcia made a significant contribution to the Marlins impressive 8-6 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday.
He went 2 for 4 with a triple, an RBI and a run scored. The triple started their four-run rally in the fifth and the RBI single in the sixth temporarily gave them a lead.
When Garcia is hitting well, he is capable of changing the course of a game with just one swing, something the Marlins have severely been lacking. After the Marlins’ 5-0 loss to the Tigers on Saturday, Garcia expressed after the game what it was like to miss as much time as he did.
“It sucks, but I can’t control that,” Garcia said. “I can’t control injuries. I can control the way I play and the way I focus in the game. It is what it is. Now, I just have to focus on the game, try to help the team win and do my best.”
But the road to recovery for Garcia wasn’t the easiest process.
He was placed on the injured list on April 29 due to back tightness, and on May 27 he started his rehab assignment. A setback caused him to be pulled back for his assignment, which he later restarted on July 18.
He participated in nine minor league matchups while on assignment before returning to the roster on Sunday.
Manager Skip Schumaker noted what went well for Garcia during his rehabilitation assignment prior to the game against the Tigers on Saturday.
“He had a lot of at-bats,” Schumaker said. “I mean, it wasn’t just a quick, you know, three or four games. He had a lot of at-bats. He wanted to feel good. I think it shows he’s a pro because he wanted to come back and he knows where we’re at and wants to actually help us and not just selfishly come back because he wants to play in the big leagues. He really wants to be here and be part of it. He’s in every meeting. He’s in every workout. He’s in the dugout almost every game — every home game, at least. And he wanted to feel good at the plate before he came back up here.“
As he steps up to the plate to finish the 2023 season on a high note, Garcia is overjoyed to be back and is eager to assist the team in whatever capacity he can.
“It’s great,” Garcia said. “The guys are doing a good job, playing hard. They don’t give up. That’s what winning teams do. I’ve been on a lot of winning teams and I talked to the guys and told them keep doing that because if they keep doing that, I think we’re gonna have a chance. Don’t stop. It’s hard to keep that focus, but if you keep playing like the way they are now, we can make the playoffs.”
Prior to the 2022 season, the Marlins signed Garcia to a four-year, $53 million contract in the hopes that he would be a reliable batter in the center of their lineup.
In his first season with the Marlins, Garcia had troubles, hitting just .224 with eight home runs and 35 RBI while battling with two hamstring injuries. In 2023, he has been driven and willing to make up for his performance in his first year.
Garcia had stints with different teams, including the Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, and Milwaukee Brewers, before signing with the Marlins.
He had a standout year while playing for the Brewers in 2021, setting new career records for home runs (29), RBI (86), and walks (38).
This story was originally published July 31, 2023 at 10:59 AM.