In the series opener against the Colorado Rockies, the Los Angeles Dodgers lost a nail biter, as the bullpen failed to protect a lead in the eighth inning. Although that game was highlighted by Yasiel Puig’s miraculous throw from the outfield, the Dodgers endured yet another injury to a pitcher.
Yimi Garcia took the mound in the seventh inning, looking to build on the scoreless inning of relief Pedro Baez had just turned in and protect the Dodgers’ 5-4 lead. Ryan Raburn led off with a single to center, then Garcia walked Tony Wolters.
A sacrifice bunt advanced both runners and DJ LeMahieu’s sac-fly tied the game. Garcia delivered a couple pitches to Trevor Story, but couldn’t finish the at-bat and was removed after being checked on by Dodgers assistant athletic trainer Nate Lucero.
Garcia was diagnosed with right biceps soreness and placed on the 15-day disabled list the following afternoon, with Zach Lee getting recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
According to J.P. Hoornstra of the LA Daily News Group, Garcia spent the next two days receiving treatment while not throwing:
But his right arm is still asleep from the top of his bicep to his wrist. He’s been told not to throw for two days and will undergo massage therapy and therapeutic laser treatment in the meantime.
For the 2016 season, Garcia has allowed nine hits and three earned runs in 8.1 innings pitched. In his nine appearances, the right-hander has collected four strikeouts, while issuing just one walk.
Garcia battled fatigue last season and was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City as a means to get his legs back under him. He finished 2015 with a 3.34 ERA, 3.20 FIP, 0.95 WHIP and averaged 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings in 59 games.
