Mets Assign Luis Garcia for Designation

Emerson Raymont

Published: April 12, 2026 11:38 AM ET

The New York Mets have officially designated right-hander Luis Garcia for assignment. This move was initially reported by Will Sammon from The Athletic before the team’s official announcement.

Mets Make Roster Changes with Garcia’s Designation

To fill Garcia’s spot on the active roster, right-hander Joey Gerber has been called up from Triple-A. Gerber was already on the 40-man roster, so no additional roster moves were necessary.

Garcia joined the Mets on a one-year, $1.75 million contract in January. This marked his tenure with the Mets as the ninth team he has played for during his 14 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB).

Garcia’s Performance with the Mets

Unfortunately for Garcia, his time in New York got off to a challenging start. Over his first 6 1/3 innings and six appearances, he posted a 7.11 ERA with a 12.5% strikeout rate. Although four of his outings were scoreless, he allowed two runs on Opening Day and three runs in just one-third of an inning in a recent 7-1 loss to the Diamondbacks.

The Mets faced another defeat against the Athletics with an 11-6 score, during which Garcia was one of five pitchers used in relief for starter Kodai Senga, who struggled significantly.

Reasons Behind the DFA Decision

The Mets’ decision to designate Garcia for assignment was likely influenced by the need for fresh arms in their bullpen. With limited flexibility concerning pitchers holding minor league options, Garcia became the odd man out.

Interestingly, it is surprising to see the team make such a quick move after offering Garcia a guaranteed contract. He has a .423 batting average on balls in play (BABIP) this season, indicating that bad luck may have contributed to his struggles, particularly for a pitcher with a notable 53.9% career ground ball rate.

Contract and Future Implications

Garcia’s contract is $1.75 million, which the Mets will still pay unless he is claimed off waivers.
If claimed, the acquiring team would inherit his salary.
If he passes through waivers, Garcia can elect free agency, retaining his salary while potentially signing for a prorated minimum with a new MLB team.

Garcia’s signing not only carried the salary cost but also incurred additional financial implications for the Mets, totaling approximately $3.675 million due to luxury tax penalties for exceeding the highest tier. This early DFA signifies the team’s willingness to aggressively manage their bullpen, focusing on acquiring effective relief options.