Robel

Garcia

The deal is official. García was released by the Cubs recently to pursue the opportunity in Korea. He’ll make $180,000 over the remainder of the 2022 campaign. The 29-year-old infielder appeared in 77 games with the Cubs and Astros since 2019, hitting .174/.240/.326 with six homers across 197 plate appearances.

García, who signed a minor league contract with the Cubs back in March, has been granted his release to pursue opportunities overseas. He’s reportedly close to a deal with the LG Twins of the Korea Baseball Organization. The 29-year-old infielder holds a .174/.240/.326 triple-slash line with six homers across 197 plate appearances in the majors since 2019.

The 28-year-old infielder returns to the Cubs, where he made his big league debut during the 2019 season. He spent the 2021 campaign with the Astros where he slashed a paltry .151/.216/.208 with one homer, eight RBI and a 42/8 K/BB ratio over 117 plate appearances. He’ll need a strong spring to have any shot at securing a bench spot on the Cubs Opening Day roster.

García passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment earlier this week and will remain with the Astros organization as extra infield depth moving forward. The versatile 28-year-old has hit .151/.216/.208 with one homer and eight RBI across 117 plate appearances at the major-league level this season.

The 28-year-old was back and forth between the major and Triple-A Round Rock this season, posting a .151 average with one home run over 106 at-bats with Houston. García is likely to clear waivers and end up back with the Astros organization.

Garcia continues to shuttle back and forth between Triple-A and the big league club whenever the Astros require an extra infielder. He’s hitting just .151/.216/.208 with one homer, eight RBI and a 42/8 K/BB ratio in 117 plate appearances on the season.

Garcia has slashed just .151/.216/.208 across 117 plate appearances this season with Houston.

Garcia has managed just a .423 OPS for the Astros this season after they claimed him on waivers back during spring training.

Aledmys Diaz will now start at first base and bat fifth versus Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler, with Robel Garcia stepping in at third base and hitting seventh. This is presumably a day-to-day situation for Gurriel.

Garcia will essentially take the place of Abraham Toro, who was sent to the Mariners on Tuesday as part of the four-player Kendall Graveman trade. Garcia, 28, is a career .187/.251/.349 hitter in 184 plate appearances at the MLB level.