The Dodgers were the seventh different team that Luis GarcĂa played for in his 13th big league season, pitching in 28 games before spending time with both the Washington Nationals and the Los Angeles Angels.
After spending the 2024 season with the Angels and the Boston Red Sox, the Dodgers signed GarcĂa to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training back in February. Injuries to Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech and Brusdar Graterol created an audition for GarcĂa to be a part of the big league bullpen, and after appearing in seven games in spring, he was added to the Dodgers’ roster for the Tokyo Series, making his team debut in the finale of the two-game set against the Chicago Cubs.
GarcĂa served as a somewhat reliable bullpen piece, outside of the occasional blowup appearance such as allowing four runs over 1/3 of an inning against the Chicago Cubs and a blown save against the Miami Marlins, but he sported a 4.50 ERA before landing on the injured list due to right adductor strain on June 1. He made his return 26 days later, pitching in two more games during the team’s road trip in Kansas City where he allowed three runs on five hits over 1 1/3 innings. He was designated for assignment on June 29 and was subsequently released on July 4.
GarcĂa signed with the Washington Nationals on July 8, and appeared in 10 games with them before he and left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin were dealt to the Angels at the trade deadline, marking GarcĂa’s third stint with them since 2019. GarcĂa appeared in another 20 games with the Angels to close out the season, and between 30 games with the Nationals and Angels, he posted an 0-2 record and two saves with a much improved 1.61 ERA and 2.96 FIP, striking out 24 and walking 10 over his final 28 innings of the season.
