In his second game back after recovering from Tommy John surgery, Houston pitcher Luis Garcia exited the Astros’ 4-3, 10-inning defeat to the Blue Jays in the second inning due to discomfort in his elbow, sparking worries about his future and adding strain to an already injured Astros rotation.

Garcia had thrown only 28 pitches when he motioned for the Astros’ bullpen staff to come out and assess him after delivering an 88 mph pitch that missed the strike zone to Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement.

Astros manager Joe Espada, along with the team trainer, came out to check on Garcia, and he was pulled from the game shortly after. 

“It was a punch to the gut. He’s worked so hard to get back,” Espada said about Garcia, who underwent a 28-month rehab. 

“Seeing him signal us and indicate his elbow was difficult. [AJ] Blubaugh stepped in and really helped us out. He did a fantastic job, but losing Luis is hard, both for the team and for him personally.”

Espada told reporters he didn’t have any information on Garcia, according to The Athletic.

Garcia declined to speak with the media through a team spokesperson, wanting to wait to comment until he knows the full extent of the injury. 

Garcia had Tommy John surgery in May 2023 and suffered a number of setbacks during the recovery process, which prevented him from returning to the mound for the Astros until Sept. 1. 

In his first game back, he pitched six innings and allowed three runs.