Garcia having surgery after Chicago White Sox's season ends
After striking out for the third and final time in Monday's 4-0 loss to Cleveland, Avisail Garcia lost his temper.
Usually cool and composed, Garcia slammed some equipment in the Chicago White Sox's dugout. The flare of frustration actually was not a surprise.
A year after representing the Sox at the All-Star Game, Garcia has not been close to the same player.
That's not saying 2017 was a fluke. It is saying Garcia's play has declined due to a string of injuries that started Opening Day.
Before Tuesday night's rain-delayed game against the Indians, Garcia said he has been dealing with discomfort in his right knee since the first game of the season.
"It's been difficult," he said. "Difficult year."
I asked Garcia if he thought about having knee surgery when he knew something wasn't right at the beginning of the season.
"The time for recovery is like 6-8 weeks," Garcia said. "Then you have to get it strong. I don't want that. I just want to play because that's why I'm here. I've been working really hard since last year and then spring training and then here. And then injury. It's tough, but nothing that I can control."
Garcia said he's going to have surgery in Chicago on Oct. 2.
He admitted that favoring the right knee was responsible for two hamstring injuries, the first one keeping him on the disabled list from April 24-June 20.
"It's my right knee, and that's where all my power is," Garcia said. "It's crazy, but it is what it is. It's sore. Every time I go home it's a little swollen, but I'm going to fix it soon. It's been a crazy year, not for me, but for the whole team. Thank God we are alive and we are here. We have a chance. Let's see what happens next year."
Garcia is arbitration eligible for one more season, so he figures to be back with the White Sox in 2019.
Even with a bad knee and two hamstring issues, he still reached a career high with 19 home runs Tuesday night. His 2-run shot off Trevor Bauer in the first inning gave the Sox the early lead.
In a game delayed 51 minutes by rain, the White Sox rallied for a 5-4 win. Daniel Palka continued to be clutch in the ninth inning, and his 2-run single with one out decided the outcome.
"He's been playing through some discomfort," manager Rick Renteria said of Garcia. "He's been managing it and giving us a tremendous effort. I know he doesn't talk about it a whole lot, but you see him really grinding through it. We've been trying to manage it and allow him an opportunity to be out there for us."
White Sox rally past Indians
There is no way the White Sox are picking up the $16 million club option on James Shields' contract for next season, so the veteran right-hander likely pitched his last game for the South Siders on Tuesday night.
Shields allowed 4 runs on 6 hits, but he did reach a milestone.
There are only eight pitchers in the major leagues who have thrown 200 or more innings this season, and Shields is on the list. His total stands at 204⅔ after 6 innings against Cleveland.
"With all of the work I put in this year, I'm really proud of that," Shields said. "I pride myself on that, pitching 200 innings and going to the post every five days."
Not only did Shields reach 200 innings for the 10th time in his career, he's going to finish the season leading the Sox with 19 quality starts.
The White Sox have a $2 million buyout they are expected to exercise on Shields.
"We'll see where life takes me when the season's over," Shields said. "I've loved my time here. I'll reflect on it when the season's over, but right now I'm enjoying my time here."