HOUSTON, TX – October 4, 2025 – The Houston Astros announced Friday that right-hander Luis Garcia underwent his second Tommy John surgery on Wednesday, October 1, along with a repair of the flexor tendon in his right forearm. The 28-year-old pitcher is expected to miss the entire 2026 season as he faces another lengthy rehabilitation process.
The surgery, a reconstruction of Garcia’s ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, marks a devastating setback for a pitcher whose promising career has been derailed by persistent elbow issues over the past three years.
A Cruel Turn of Events
Garcia’s second Tommy John surgery comes just weeks after what appeared to be a triumphant return from his first procedure. After missing 28 months dealing with a series of setbacks following his initial Tommy John surgery in May 2023, Garcia finally returned to the mound on September 1 and delivered an encouraging performance against the Angels, throwing six innings while allowing three runs and three hits in a victory.
The moment of hope was fleeting. In his second start on September 9 against the Blue Jays, Garcia departed in the second inning with right elbow discomfort after calling out the trainers. Astros manager Joe Espada called the injury “a punch in the gut” for the organization and Garcia himself.
Garcia was placed on the 15-day injured list the following day and moved to the 60-day IL just days later. Within weeks, the Astros had already announced publicly that Garcia’s 2026 season was over, though the specific details of the required surgery were not revealed until Friday’s announcement.
A Career Derailed by Injury
The trajectory of Garcia’s career has been marked by both promise and persistent setbacks. An international free agent from Venezuela, Garcia jumped from High-A Fayetteville to the major leagues during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and quickly established himself as a reliable starter.
From 2021-22, Garcia was a workhorse for the Astros, appearing in 58 games (56 starts) and posting a 26-16 record with a 3.60 ERA and 1.16 WHIP across 312 2/3 innings. His combination of durability and effectiveness made him a cornerstone of Houston’s rotation during their championship run.
However, Garcia’s career took a sharp turn in 2023 when he was injured in his sixth start of the season, requiring his first Tommy John surgery. Since that initial procedure, Garcia has thrown just 7 2/3 innings in the major leagues—the six innings in his September 1 return and the second inning of his ill-fated Toronto start.
The rehabilitation from his first surgery was plagued with setbacks. Garcia started a minor league rehab assignment in June 2024 but was shut down in August after suffering a setback. Another setback came in March 2025 when he experienced right elbow soreness before throwing a live batting practice session at Spring Training, delaying his return even further.
Uncertain Future
Garcia’s contractual situation adds another layer of complexity to his recovery. He earned $1.875 million in his second year of arbitration in 2025 and has one year of team control remaining. However, given that he will miss the entire 2026 season, Garcia is widely considered a candidate to be non-tendered by the club in the coming weeks.
One potential path forward mirrors that of former Astros pitcher José Urquidy, who required Tommy John surgery in June 2024. The Astros outrighted Urquidy off the roster at season’s end, and he became a free agent before signing a one-year deal with the Detroit Tigers that paid him $1 million in 2025 with a $4 million club option for 2026.
Garcia could attempt to follow a similar path, though his situation is more challenging. His surgery occurred later in the year than Urquidy’s, and his health history is significantly more concerning. Even if Garcia returns to health at some point in 2027, he will be coming off four effectively lost years—a daunting obstacle for any pitcher attempting to resurrect his career.
It’s also possible that Garcia could negotiate a two-year deal with the Astros or another club—a structure that has become increasingly common for pitchers facing lengthy injury absences. Such a deal would allow Garcia to bank some guaranteed money while rehabbing, while giving a team the opportunity to benefit from his production in the second year if he returns to form.
Part of a Troubling Pattern
Garcia becomes the fourth member of Houston’s starting rotation to undergo Tommy John surgery in 2025, joining Hayden Wesneski (May 23), Ronel Blanco (June 6), and Brandon Walter (September 23). Left-hander John Rooney also underwent surgery last month to clean up bone spurs in his elbow and repair lateral epicondylitis after making his Major League debut.
The rash of elbow injuries has decimated Houston’s pitching depth and raised questions about the organization’s approach to pitcher management and development. For a franchise that has prided itself on pitching excellence during its run of sustained success, the 2025 season has been marked by an alarming number of arm injuries to key contributors.
Looking Ahead
For Garcia, the road ahead is long and uncertain. At 28 years old, he should theoretically be entering his prime years. Instead, he faces another extensive rehabilitation process with no guarantees of returning to his previous form. The repair to his flexor tendon in addition to the UCL reconstruction adds another element of concern to an already complicated recovery.
The Astros organization and Garcia himself now face difficult decisions in the coming weeks. Whether Garcia remains in Houston or seeks a fresh start elsewhere, his second Tommy John surgery represents not just a setback for the 2026 season, but potentially a career-altering challenge for a pitcher who once seemed destined for a long and productive career in the major leagues.
As the Astros move forward with their roster planning for 2026, they will do so without one of the pitchers who helped anchor their rotation during their most successful years—a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in professional baseball.