26 Avisail Garcia CF

Garcia (knee) signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Rays on Monday, Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports.

Garcia has found a new home after being non-tendered by the White Sox earlier in the offseason. The outfielder appeared in just 93 games for the White Sox in 2018 thanks to hamstring and knee issues -- the latter of which required arthroscopic surgery in October. When healthy, Garcia hit .236/.281/.438 with a career-best 19 homers in just 385 plate appearances. He figures to offer a right-handed bat off the bench for the Rays.

Garcia (knee) was non-tendered by the White Sox on Friday.

Garcia, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Oct. 2, was shopped pretty hard by the White Sox over the past couple weeks, but they apparently couldn't find any takers. The only time he has looked like a big-league caliber player was in 2017, when he hit .330/.380/.506. Last year he slashed .236/.281/.438. He is an awful defender, so he really needs to hit to profile as a designated hitter or one-dimensional corner outfielder. He should have no trouble latching on elsewhere, but it is unclear if he will land a big-league contract or get a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training.

Garcia underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Oct. 2, Scot Gregor of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

Garcia played through the knee discomfort for most of September before going under the knife shortly after the season concluded. Considering that Garcia is just getting a scope of the knee rather than reconstructive surgery, his recovery timeline will likely be measured in weeks rather than months. With that in mind, it's expected that Garcia will be in store for a rather normal offseason and return to spring training at full strength.

Garcia (knee) will start in right field and bat cleanup in Saturday's game against the Twins.

Garcia exited Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader after aggravating a knee issue and did not appear in the nightcap. The 27-year-old has battled knee problems all season and will undergo surgery after the regular season ends.

Garcia was removed from Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader due to a knee injury, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Garcia's knee was bothering him after hitting a single in the eighth inning during the first half of Friday's action, so manager Rick Renteria decided to lift him from the ballgame. Garcia will be held out of the nightcap, although there's a chance he could return to the field either Saturday or Sunday.