by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/15/2013) Tigers outfielder Avisail Garcia connected for his first home run of the season Wednesday during a loss to Houston. Garcia took starter Dallas Keuchel deep in the second inning for a three-run blast with two outs.
Garcia, who went 1 for 3 in the game, gave the Tigers a 4-1 lead they could not hold. Only playing in his second game since getting recalled, Garcia has gone 1 for 5 thus far with two strikeouts.
Avisail Garcia looking at small role
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/15/2013) Earlier Tuesday, Nando Di Fino said that Tigers outfielder Avisail Garcia is worth a look in AL-only Fantasy leagues while he is in the majors, but I'm not so sure. After seeing how Detroit plans to use him, it looks Garcia is hardly going to be getting everyday at-bats.
Garcia entered Tuesday's game as a replacement for starter Don Kelly, after the right-handed starting pitcher left the game. It looks like Jim Leyland mostly plans to use Garcia against left-handed pitching, which is definitely going to limit his Fantasy utility.
As the smaller half of a platoon split, it is awfully hard to justify using a roster spot on Garcia. He has a solid future, as he showed with a .319 batting average a year ago in a brief call-up. But in his current role, Garcia might not be worth your time.
Avisail Garcia will get fair share of starts
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/14/2013) Tigers manager Jim Leyland told MLB.com Tuesday that outfielder Avisail Garcia will get a fair share of starts while filling in for the injured Austin Jackson.
"I'm not going to play him every day, if that's what somebody's getting at," Leyland said, "but I'll probably play him a lot."
Garcia hit .426 (26 for 61) with two homers and eight RBI in 14 games in the minors before being promoted from Triple-A Toledo. Leyland wants Garcia to become accustomed to everyday at-bats.
"You'd probably prefer to get him 500 at-bats in Triple-A," Leyland said, "but he's here and I'll play him. He played and performed in the postseason last year. I feel comfortable putting him out there."
Avisail Garcia worth AL-only consideration
by Nando Di Fino | Senior Fantasy Writer (5/13/2013) Tigers outfielder Avisail Garcia may not have a very long stay in the majors -- he was called up to replace Austin Jackson and will likely head back to the minors (as he has no role in the lineup) when Jackson returns.
However, Garcia can contribute while he plays, as he proved last year with a .319 average in 47 late-season at-bats, along with a .261 average, four RBI, and a steal in 23 post-season at-bats. He has a stellar minor-league track record, with developing power, two seasons of 20-plus steals, and a .285 career average, which has been rising lately. As a fun little intangible, Miguel Cabrera has served as his mentor with the Tigers.
With a nice bat and some underrated speed -- and with Jim Leyland actively trying to get him in the lineup -- Garcia could make an impact early and often, and his potential makes him a nice add in AL-only formats for as long as Jackson is out.
"He’s going to play," Leyland told MLive.com. "I’ll put him in center against a right-hander. I’ll play him in center against left-handers. I don’t know how it’s going to work out. It could be Dirks, it could be Kelly. But I’m not going to move Torii over."
As for the leadoff spot in Jackson's absence, Leyland added Dirks would likely only hit leadoff against right-handed starters.
Tigers recall prospect Avisail Garcia
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/13/2013) The Tigers announced Monday outfield prospect Avisail Garcia was recalled from Triple-A Toledo after placing center fielder Austin Jackson on the 15-day disabled list with a pulled hamstring, according to MLB.com. Garcia began the season on the disabled list because of a heel injury, but he's been on a tear for Toledo since his activation, batting .432 (16 for 37) in eight games.
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/13/2013) The radio broadcast for Triple-A Toledo announced Tigers outfield prospect Avisail Garcia was not with the team for Monday's game against Indianapolis, according to MLB.com.
However, no official announcement about an injury or potential roster move has been made. Although, Tigers outfielder Austin Jackson was scratched from Sunday's game because of a hamstring injury, which could lead to speculation about a recall.
Garcia, who began the season on the disabled list due to a heel injury, has been on a tear since his activation and demotion to the minors. Garcia has hit safely in seven of eight games for Toledo, batting .432 (16 for 37) with one double, one home run and four RBI. If you recall, Garcia hit as well during a rehab assignment with Class A Lakeland. Garcia hit .417 (10 for 24) with one home run, two triples and four RBI in six games.
Avisail Garcia recalled from DL, sent to Triple-A
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (5/1/2013) Tigers outfielder Avisail Garcia has been recalled from his rehab assignment and optioned to Triple-A Toledo.
Garcia was making a push to be on the team's 25-man roster during the spring, but suffered a heel injury. He had been rehabbing with the team's Class-A club. Garcia played in 23 games with the Tigers last season, and should see some time on the major-league club in 2013.
Avisail Garcia begins rehab stint
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (4/26/2013) Tigers outfielder Avisail Garcia played in his first rehab game Thursday at Class A Lakeland. Garcia was able to play all nine innings in right field, batting third in the lineup. He went 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Garcia has been on the disabled list since the start of the season due to a heel injury.
Avisail Garcia to begin rehab assignment Thursday
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/25/2013) Tigers outfielder Avisail Garcia (heel) will begin a rehab assignment with Class A Lakeland Thursday, according to MLB.com. Garcia can spend up to 20 days on a rehab assignment before the Tigers have to make a roster move.
Garcia has two minor-league options left, so he could be sent to Triple-A once he's done with his rehab assignment.
Avisail Garcia closing in on field action
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/20/2013) Tigers outfielder Avisail Garcia returned to game action at extended spring training Saturday, MLB.com reports. Garcia, on the 15-day disabled list with a bruised right heel, saw five at-bats as DH and also stole a base.
He is expected to begin playing the field Monday and Tuesday before being re-evaluated. If all goes well, the 21-year-old should begin a minor-league rehab assignment later in the week.
"He is finally full-weight bearing on his heel with no complaints of pain," Tigers head athletic trainer Kevin Rand said. "So we're starting to initiate more activity with him."
Garcia will participate in daily conditioning drills before playing in extended spring games.
"We'll take our time," Rand said. "Basically, at this point in time, hopefully we'll get him hitting and get him throwing and we'll have a better feel for that later."
Once healthy, the Tigers will decide between using Garcia as a reserve outfielder or send him to Triple-A to play regularly.
Avisail Garcia making progress
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/1/2013) Tigers outfielder Avisail Garcia, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a bruised right heel, is ahead of schedule in his recovery, reports MLB.com Monday.
Manager Jim Leyland said Garcia remains in Florida and could get into an extended spring training game shortly. He would then report to Triple-A Toledo to begin his season. Garcia did not make the Tigers' roster out of spring training, regardless of the injury.
Tigers shelve Avisail Garcia
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/26/2013) The Tigers placed outfielder Avisail Garcia on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday. The DL stint is retroactive to March 22. Garcia is dealing with a right heel contusion and was injured stepping on first base awkwardly earlier in the month. Garcia is expected to join Triple-A Toledo once healthy enough to come off the shelf.
Avisail Garcia may return Tuesday
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/24/2013) Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Sunday he thought Avisail Garcia (bruised heel) would not be ready to play until Tuesday at the earliest. Garcia, who is vying for a reserve spot in the outfield, was left behind at the team's camp site while Detroit plays on the east coast of Florida. "I'd probably be taking at-bats away from somebody to be playing him this late," Leyland said.
Avisail Garcia likely to begin on DL
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/23/2013) Tigers outfielder Avisail Garcia isn't likely to be healthy in time for opening day, the Detroit Free Press reported Saturday.
Garcia has missed a week of action with a bruised heel suffered last Saturday. He appears to be a candidate to begin the season in the minors or on the disabled list.
At the moment, it appears that Jeff Kobernus or Matt Tuiasosopo remain in the running for the fourth outfielder job with the Tigers.
"The timing of the injury probably put a little bit of a damper on him as far breaking with the club," manager Jim Leyland said. "I think that’s a common-sense thing. I prefer not to see a big headline that says, ‘Garcia won’t make the team.’ That’s not the case. His injury came at a time where it wasn’t the best timing."
Avisail Garcia reports progress
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/21/2013) Tigers outfielder Avisail Garcia said Thursday he's moving much better on his bruised heel, according to The Detroit News. Garcia is still not ready to return to spring games and isn't listed on Friday's travel roster to play the Nationals.
Avisail Garcia sidelined for Tigers
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/17/2013) Tigers outfielder Avisail Garcia will be sidelined until further notice due to his right heel contusion, reports MLB.com.
Garcia left Saturday's game after attempting to beat out an infield ground ball, and X-rays taken were negative. That was the good news. The bad news is that the heel injury makes it tough for him to break camp on the 25-man roster.
Head athletic trainer Kevin Rand said Garcia is more than day to day at this point. Garcia is battling with Jeff Kobernus and Nick Castellanos for the backup outfield job behind Andy Dirks and this injury is going to make it tough for him to win the gig.
Jeff Kobernus a favorite for roster?
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/16/2013) Tigers skipper Jim Leyland said Saturday that he is almost positive the team will have a right-handed hitter to play part-time in the outfield on the roster when the regular season begins, MLive.com reported.
"We want a right-handed hitter," Leyland said. "You can take that to the bank. I think we're going to have him. I can't say 100 percent, but 99.9 percent, we're going to have a right-handed hitter to play out there sometimes."
The three main candidates for the job behind Andy Dirks are Jeff Kobernus, Avisail Garcia and Nick Castellanos. The latter two have higher ceilings, but the Tigers would prefer they begin the season at Triple-A for seasoning purposes.
For that reason, Kobernus appears to be the favorite at this point. His highest level of play prior to this season was Double-A Harrisburg last year. He hit .282 there over 330 at-bats with a homer and 19 RBI, including 42 stolen bases. Kobernus is a career .279 hitter in the minors.
Tigers' Avisail Garcia has new injury
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/16/2013) Tigers outfielder Avisail Garcia left Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals due to a right heel contusion, reports CBS Sports Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.
Garcia is going to be considered day to day. He was 0 for 1 in the game before being replaced by Nick Castellanos in right field and is batting .206 on the spring.
Any injury is tough for Garcia, who is the No. 2 overall prospect in the Tigers' system, according to Baseball America. Garcia is attempting to win a backup outfield job for Detroit but appears to be on the outside looking in right now.
Tigers want Garcia on full-time
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (2/18/2013) The Tigers feel outfield prospect Avisail Garcia, hailed as a five-tool player, could become a mainstay in their lineup during the near future. However, Detroit manager Jim Leyland made it clear that won't begin this season if the 21-year-old does not receive sufficient at-bats. "I wouldn’t take him to sit around and pinch-hit," Leyland told the Detroit Free Press on Monday. "No one is ruling out Garcia and (Nick) Castellanos. However, that is going to be a decision (based on) are they ready and are you going to get them enough playing time?"
Garcia is 'five-tool player'
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (1/28/2013) The Detroit Free Press reports Tigers outfielder Avisail Garcia will head to spring training in hopes of winning a spot on the big-league roster, but with the addition of Torii Hunter it appears he's a long-shot candidate to begin the year with the Tigers. While Garcia has been playing center field and right field in the minors, Tigers assistant general manager Al Avila expects Garcia's long-term future is at one position. "I see him as your classic rightfielder, with a gun for an arm that can throw a guy out from rightfield to third base, and a guy that can hit for power," Avila said. “And, of course, he can run. He’s a legitimate five-tool player.”
