Garcia told AJ Cassavell of MLB.com on Sunday that he chose not to pursue any opportunities in baseball in free agency this winter, likely suggesting that he's opted to move on from the sport.
The 32-year-old infielder has technically been a free agent since last May, when he exercised an opt-out clause in his minor-league contract with the Phillies. Garcia likely could have landed a minor-league deal with another organization, but the prospect of spending extended time at the Triple-A level without the promise of a promotion to the majors might not have been too appealing for him at this stage of his career. Assuming Garcia doesn't elect to resume his playing career, he'll retire with a lifetime .245/.354/.339 slash line over 1,303 plate appearances in parts of seven MLB seasons with the Cardinals and Padres.
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Greg Garcia: Becomes free agent
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Garcia will head to free agency after opting out of his contract Monday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.
Garcia agreed to a minor-league deal with the Phillies near the end of April, but he'll head back to the open market after electing to opt out. His last major-league action came in 2020 while with the Padres -- he hit .200 with three doubles, 11 RBI and a stolen base in 35 contests with the Friars.
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Phillies' Greg Garcia: Inks deal with Phillies
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Garcia signed a minor-league contract with the Phillies on Thursday, Bryce Miller of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Garcia spent much of spring training with the Tigers, but he was released on March 25. He'll now head to the alternate site for the Phillies and has an opt-out date of May 2 if he is not added to the big-league roster.
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Greg Garcia: Granted release
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Garcia was granted his release by the Tigers on Friday.
The move is an unsurprising one, as Garcia was informed Thursday he wouldn't be breaking camp with the team. He'll search for work elsewhere but may be stuck searching for a minor-league deal, as he's a 31-year-old who hasn't produced an above-average batting line since 2016.
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Tigers' Greg Garcia: Won't make Opening Day roster
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Garcia was informed Thursday that he won't make the Tigers' Opening Day roster, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
Garcia was unable to secure a utility spot on Detroit's roster after he hit .143 with one RBI, four runs and seven strikeouts this spring. He has an opt-out clause in his contract and is weighing whether to exercise it or head to the minors to begin the season.
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Tigers' Greg Garcia: Competing for utility role
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Garcia is competing for a utility spot on Detroit's roster out of spring training, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
Garcia joined the Tigers earlier this month and will compete with the likes of Harold Castro and Akil Baddoo for a bench job. Working in Garcia's favor is his ability to play multiple positions in the infield, though the 31-year-old only slashed .200/.279/.250 across 30 games last season, so he may need to get hot at the plate this spring to earn a roster spot.
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Tigers' Greg Garcia: Invited to Tigers' camp
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Garcia signed with Detroit as a non-roster invitee Tuesday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.
Garcia has been a capable-enough utility man over his seven-year big-league career, hitting a respectable .245/.354/.339 while appearing at all four infield spots. He didn't look good in 71 plate appearances last season, hitting just .200/.279/.250. If he looks like he's back to his typical form during camp, he'll likely deserve a bench spot somewhere, but whether or not the Tigers want to give a roster spot to a 31-year-old with his sort of profile remains to be seen.
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Greg Garcia: Non-tendered by Padres
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Garcia was non-tendered by the Padres on Wednesday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Garcia saw inconsistent playing time for San Diego in 2020, and the Padres will part ways with him rather than going to arbitration. The 31-year-old hit .200/.279/.250 with 11 RBI last season and will likely have to settle for a depth role once again in 2021.
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Padres' Greg Garcia: Seeing little playing time
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Garcia struck out in both of his at-bats in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Dodgers.
Garcia batted ninth and served as the Padres' designated hitter in what was his third start of September. San Diego activated another potential DH option in Francisco Mejia (thumb) from the 10-day injured list Wednesday, and Tommy Pham (hand) could also rejoin the active roster within the next few days. As a result, Garcia's limited opportunities are only expected to become more scarce as the regular season winds down.
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Padres' Greg Garcia: Sitting Sunday
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Garcia is out of the lineup Sunday against the Diamondbacks.
The 31-year-old started three of the past four games and 3-for-9 with two doubles, but he'll sit with southpaw Madison Bumgarner pitching for Arizona. Garcia has served as the designated hitter twice this season, but he's mostly competing for time at second base with Jake Cronenworth and Jurickson Profar.
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Padres' Greg Garcia: Gets first start of 2020
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Garcia will man second base and bat seventh Monday against the Diamondbacks.
Garcia was used off the bench in two of the first three games of the Padres' season-opening series with the Diamondbacks, but he'll get his first start in the series finale. Jurickson Profar remains the Padres' top option at second base, but he'll serve as the designated hitter Monday to clear a lineup spot for Garcia.
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Padres' Greg Garcia: Taking outfield reps
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Garcia is taking reps in the outfield during spring training, Bill Center of MLB.com reports.
Garcia has logged significant time at second base, third base and shortstop throughout his career, proving versatile around the infield. However, he could add another position to his profile, as he's participated in outfield drills and fielded flyballs during batting practice this spring. Still, Garcia isn't particularly likely to pick up significant at-bats with the change, as the Padres appear pretty well set in the outfield.
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Padres' Greg Garcia: Sits against southpaw
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Garcia is not starting Saturday against Arizona.
Garcia hits the bench with lefty Robbie Ray on the mound for the Diamondbacks. Ty France gets the nod in left field.
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Padres' Greg Garcia: Sits again Tuesday
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Garcia is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Dodgers.
Garcia finds himself on the bench for the second straight game with the Padres facing another lefty, Rich Hill. Luis Urias slides to second base in his absence, with Seth Mejias-Brean starting at shortstop.
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Padres' Greg Garcia: Held out Sunday
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Garcia is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.
Garcia has seen the bulk of the starts at second base of late, but he will be held out Sunday with manager Andy Green loading the lineup with right-handed hitters against southpaw Robbie Ray.
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Padres' Greg Garcia: Not in Sunday's lineup
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Garcia is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Colorado.
Garcia will take a seat after starting the last three games and going 1-for-10 with a triple, two runs scored and four walks in that stretch. Ty France will occupy the keystone and bat sixth in his place.
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Padres' Greg Garcia: Sits against southpaw
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Garcia is not in Wednesday's lineup against the Cubs.
He will head to the bench with lefty Cole Hamels on the hill for Chicago. Ty France will start at second base and hit fifth.
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Padres' Greg Garcia: Playing time picks back up
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Garcia will start at second base and bat leadoff Sunday against the Rockies.
Garcia will pick up his seventh start in eight games, with each of the last three coming at the keystone. At this point, Garcia looks to have supplanted Ty France as the Padres' primary second baseman against right-handed pitching. Garcia has reached base at a strong .365 clip this season but offers little power or speed to accompany it.
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Padres' Greg Garcia: Swats fourth homer
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Garcia went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Sunday's win over San Francisco.
Garcia took Jeff Samardzija deep in the first inning for his first career leadoff homer. The long ball was his fourth of the season to establish a new career high. In his first year with the Padres, Garcia is hitting .253 with 12 doubles and 44 runs scored in 109 games.
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Padres' Greg Garcia: Out against lefty
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Garica isn't in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Giants.
Garcia will get the night off with Madison Bumgarner in line to toe the rubber for San Francisco. Ty France slots in at the keystone and will bat sixth.
