Garcia finds his stroke after 2-month struggle
Avisail Garcia admits he probably let expectations get the better of him to start the season. He was one of the Miami Marlins’ big splashes in free agency, signing a four-year, $53 million deal with a club option for a fifth season. The outfielder was going to be a heart-of-the-order bat for a lineup that needed offense.
For two months, the results didn’t come.
Now? It looks like he’s starting to turn the corner.
Garcia entered Friday’s series opener against the New York Mets in the midst of a strong month of June. He had a .294 batting average (20 for 68) with four doubles, two home runs, 11 RBI and 10 runs scored over 18 games (17 starts). This stretch included his first two games of the season with multiple extra-base hits, as well as a total of seven multi-hit outings after having just five in his first 39 games of 2022.
“I’m trying to really relax,” Garcia said. “Try not to do too much and don’t try to put a lot of pressure on myself. Enjoy the game. Focus on and control what I can control.”
So does Garcia think he put too much pressure on himself early to make a good impression? He hit just .201 in April and May.
“For sure,” said Garcia, 31, who broke into the majors with Detroit in 2012 and later played for the Chicago White Sox, Tampa Bay and Milwaukee before joining the Marlins. “I’m a human. I think it happens to everybody. I guess it’s normal. It takes time, but I’ve just got to do my job and enjoy the game.”
Garcia’s presence was felt throughout their series sweep of the Colorado Rockies. He hit a threerun home run as part of a four-run inning Tuesday. He had another pair of hits Wednesday and drove in the game-winning run Thursday with an RBI fielder’s choice in the eighth inning, beating out a throw to first base on a groundball to the left side that could have been an inning-ending double play.
Garcia’s sprint speed on the run to first base Thursday
was 29.5 feet per second — well above the league average of 27 feet per second and just below the 30 feet-per-second mark that MLB considers elite.
“That’s the way I play the game,” said Garcia, who is listed at 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds. “When the game’s on the line like that and you get a ground ball, you’ve gotta hustle. You’ve gotta do what you can to score the run.”
ROJAS SCRATCHED
Shortstop Miguel Rojas was scratched from the Marlins’ starting lineup Friday with a right foot bone contusion.
Jon Berti took Rojas’ spot after initially being set to start at third base.
Luke Williams entered the lineup playing third base and batting ninth. Catcher Jacob Stallings move up one spot in the lineup, batting in Rojas’ original spot at No. 8 instead of ninth.
INJURY UPDATES
Third baseman/outfielder Brian Anderson began a rehab assignment with Triple A Jacksonville on Thursday. Infielder Joey Wendle left Friday for Jacksonville with the anticipation of starting a rehab assignment this weekend.
Right-hander Sixto Sanchez is scheduled to throw a 20-pitch side session in Jupiter on Saturday.
Right-hander Cole Sulser is playing catch.
Left-hander Jesus Luzardo is throwing on flat ground from 105 feet.
Right-hander Cody Poteet threw a 30-pitch bullpen Friday.
Right-hander Anthony Bender is in Jupiter for his throwing progression.
RECOGNIZING SURFSIDE TRAGEDY
Prior to Friday’s game, the Marlins held a moment of silence marking one year since the collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside. The team was joined on the field by first responders and members of local search and rescue efforts.
The Marlins and Miami Marlins Foundation are awarding four-year Florida College Plan Scholarships to 21 youths from families impacted by the collapse who are being assisted by Jewish Community Services of South Florida. Scholarships funds are being matched by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.