Home Baseball Rangers expect García to play the outfield soon, Adolis picks up where he left off: ‘I just want to get better’

Rangers expect García to play the outfield soon, Adolis picks up where he left off: ‘I just want to get better’

Baseball — 04/05/2024

Adolis García has been absent from a “real” baseball game since Game 3 of the World Series on October 30. The MVP of the American League Championship Series was placed on the injured list due to an oblique strain following the Rangers’ game against the Diamondbacks, which sidelined him for the remainder of the team’s postseason journey.

Adolis García's walk-off homer

However, despite not participating in a competitive game for 128 days, García seamlessly resumed his performance. In his debut appearance in the Cactus League during the Rangers’ 6-6 tie with the Rockies at Salt River Fields, García went 1-for-3, hitting a home run projected by Statcast to be 398 feet onto the berm behind left field. Additionally, he produced a double-play ball with a 95.6 mph exit velocity and a .400 expected batting average, according to Statcast.

García expressed his satisfaction, stating, “I’m feeling good. It was a good day, and it’s good to be back.” Reflecting on his home run, he added, “It’s a good feeling. I’ve been working on my adjustments every day, even though I wasn’t playing. I’m just feeling good.”

Adolis García hits his first HR of Spring Training

“He’s been hitting the ball well – I mentioned that earlier today,” remarked manager Bruce Bochy. “He had a solid at-bat. Even on the double-play ball, he made solid contact. So it’s encouraging to see where he’s at right now, as he’s just getting into the swing of things in these games. He appears to be timing the fastball and breaking ball well.”

Although García had not participated in any of the Rangers’ first 12 Cactus League games, Bochy clarified that he is not injured. The coaching staff has simply been gradually integrating him into game action. García has been taking live batting practice on the backfields and participating in intrasquad and B games during the early weeks of camp.

In the most recent B game against the Royals on Tuesday, García went 2-for-7 with two hard-hit singles, one of which came off big leaguer Jordan Lyles. García intends to accumulate more at-bats as a designated hitter in the upcoming B game on Thursday in Peoria against the Padres.

Bochy stated that the Rangers anticipate García will soon resume playing in the outfield.