Just days after being designated for assignment by the New York Mets, Hawaii’s Rico Garcia has landed with a new major league club, right across town.
The Saint Louis and Hawaii Pacific product was claimed off waivers by the New York Yankees on Monday, only three days after being DFA’d by the Mets.
The 31-year-old right-hander made two appearances with the Mets this season, throwing 4 2/3 scoreless innings and touching 96 mph on his fastball.
Following the All-Star break, Garcia is set to join the Yankees, marking his seventh team across five major league seasons. He has previously pitched for the Rockies, Giants, Orioles, Athletics, Nationals and Mets, compiling 24 strikeouts in 40 career innings.
“It’s a blessing to still be able to play this game,” Garcia said. “Whether it’s the Yankees or anyone, it’s just a blessing to be on this journey and meet all the people along the way. Represent Hawaii, my culture, and everything I do. When someone says baseball, you think of the Yankees. I’m just honored to be a part of it and excited to play for them.”
Asked about the Yankees’ well-known grooming policy that for half a century banned beards, Garcia laughed. “I don’t know. We’ll see how it turns out. I haven’t been clean-shaven since, like, high school, maybe college.”
Although, the organization’s facial hair policy was tweaked to now allow well-groomed beards, it’s all part of the charm of joining the iconic franchise, so on Tuesday, Garcia got ride of the beard and in his words, got ‘cleaned up’ and now sports only a mustache.
Reflecting on his path, Garcia hopes to inspire. “It’s definitely a roller coaster ride of emotions throughout a full season. You stick to what you love. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, you know you gave it your all. I just hope to be an inspiration to Hawaii kids, athletes or not. If you love it, keep doing it. No one can take it away from you.”
Garcia will report to the Yankees on Thursday in Atlanta. New York opens a three-game series against the Braves on Friday.