Jaime Garcia officially replaced on Cardinals NLDS roster

Apparently, the Cardinals didn't like the results of starting pitcher Jaime Garcia's MRI, which was deemed necessary after Monday's starting pitcher left the game after just two innings complaining about discomfort in his shoulder. The official diagnosis for Garcia's shoulder is a rotator cuff strain. Ken Rosenthal just tweeted out that Garcia will be replaced on the roster by rookie Shelby Miller, with Lance Lynn taking Garcia's place in the rotation in the NLCS (if the Cardinals make it that far).

The whole issue with Garcia has been extremely divisive in the Cardinals' clubhouse, with some players being "incensed" at Garcia apparently pitching in a must-win game for the club with his shoulder still hurting. While throwing prior to Friday's Wild Card playoff game against the Braves, Garcia apparently felt discomfort in his shoulder, but didn't tell any of the coaches. General manager John Mozeliak said that the club's staff not knowing about Garcia's issues was "frustrating".

This is just a mess for the Cardinals and Garcia from every aspect. If he wasn't feeling healthy going into the NLDS on Sunday, there was no reason for him to be on the roster and he should have said something. Garcia played with fire in the first two innings of Monday's game, and it's a miracle that he only allowed one run to the Nationals. Garcia also could have hurt himself even more seriously by continuing to pitch despite his shoulder not feeling right, and unlike an elbow injury, shoulder injuries are much more complicated and surgeries have less of a chance of being successful and returning the player to his previous health.

Bad times all-around from the Cardinals, and now their bullpen has one less experienced arm in it. At least Miller, Lynn's replacement in the pen and Garcia's replacement on the roster, is immensely talented and has incredible stuff.

[STLToday]

About Joe Lucia

I hate your favorite team. I also sort of hate most of my favorite teams.

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