Padres Sign RHP Luis García to Two-Year Contract

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres have signed right-handed pitcher Luis García to a two-year contract, President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller announced today.

In 2021 with the St. Louis Cardinals, the 34-year-old reliever went 1–1 with a 3.24 ERA (12 ER, 33.1 IP), 0.99 WHIP and 34 strikeouts against eight walks over 34 appearances. His 4.25 SO/BB ratio, 0.99 WHIP, and 32.1 swing-and-miss percentage all ranked 3rd on the Cardinals’ pitching staff, and among all National League pitchers with a least 30 appearances, his 34 baserunners allowed tied for 3rd fewest. Additionally, the 6-foot-2, 240-pound right-hander allowed just two home runs in 135 batters faced. Prior to being signed as a minor league free agent by St. Louis on July 9, García appeared in 18 games with the New York Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre), posting a 3.63 ERA (7 ER, 17.1 IP) with 19 strikeouts and three walks allowed.

Originally signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2004 as an international free agent, the nine-year Major League veteran has a 15–18 career record with a 4.16 ERA (161 ER, 348.1 IP) and 325 strikeouts in 360 games (four starts) between the Philadelphia Phillies (2013–18), Los Angeles Angels (2019), Texas Rangers (2020), and Cardinals (2021). After making his professional debut with the Rookie-Level Gulf Coast League Dodgers in 2007, the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native has made 258 minor league appearances between 11 teams for a 2.94 ERA (128 ER, 391.2 IP). Since the start of the 2020 season, his 53 baserunners allowed are the second fewest of any pitcher in baseball behind only Drew Pomeranz (48), and his three home runs allowed are tied for sixth fewest among all pitchers (both minimum 45 appearances).