VIERA, Fla. — Washington Nationals right-hander Christian Garcia will get a second opinion on his right forearm after MRI results returned what appears to be a strain in his forearm/wrist area.
Garcia, who said he does not feel anything when throwing his curveball or his changeup, began feeling the tightness on his fastball earlier in the week. Garcia was sent for an MRI on Wednesday and manager Davey Johnson said the team is now sending that MRI elsewhere for a second opinion while Garcia rests.
“It’s kind of a strange injury,” Johnson said. “They’re diagnosing it as a strain, kind of ligaments or tendons in the (forearm/wrist) area. It doesn’t bother him throwing the curveball or changeup but it bothers him opening the car door and throwing a fastball.”
Garcia will be evaluated each day and get treatment on the area while the team awaits the second opinion.
It’s unclear at this point how much this might affect the Nationals’ plans for Garcia, as they were expected to stretch him out this spring and use him as starting pitching depth, despite his impressive debut out of the bullpen last fall.
It’s early in the spring, but with Garcia down for at least a few days, he will be behind the other pitchers in camp when he’s able to return to the mound.
