It’s time to change the username for the Pirates’ struggles against left-handed pitching.
The password? Jhostynxon Garcia playing in the Pirates outfield.
Pittsburgh promoted the right-handed slugger to join the major league club on Tuesday prior to the first of a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals. The team optioned infielder/outfielder Nick Yorke following Sunday’s loss to Philadelphia.
The No. 4 prospect in the organization, according to MLB Pipeline, Garcia hit only .205 in 19 games
at Triple-A Indianapolis.
He suffered a back injury in late April and played six games in Bradenton as part of a rehab assignment.
Garcia crushed the ball, hitting .364 with eight hits, including three home runs. He returned to Indianapolis on May 12 and slugged three homers against Louisville, recording a five-hit day.
A 23-year-old power hitter who can play all three outfield positions, Garcia will likely be relied on as an everyday piece to the Pirates’ improved lineup.
Garcia has large shoes to fill with first baseman/right fielder Ryan O’Hearn expected to miss up to a month due to a quadriceps injury.
Garcia was traded to Pittsburgh from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for righty Johan Oviedo and two prospects as part of a five-player deal. The Pirates also acquired pitcher Jesus Travieso. He made his MLB debut with the Red Sox last season, but only played five games.
The Pirates (24-23) begin an important stretch of games against their division rivals after being swept by the Cardinals (27-19) from April 27-30.
Pittsburgh is averaging nearly five runs per game and is fourth in baseball in hits per game (8.6), plus sixth in on-base (.332) and tied for sixth in batting average (.248).
The Pirates sit in fourth place in the NL Central, play three games in Toronto this weekend, and will host the Cubs for four games at PNC Park beginning Monday.
