Mets DFA 2nd Pitcher This Weekend, After His Disastrous Start to Season

The New York Mets brought him just three months ago as a veteran to add some depth to their bullpen. But after just six innings of work, 14-year veteran right-handed reliever Luis Garcia has been designated for assignment by the Mets.

The Mets are designating Luis Garcia for assignment, per @WillSammon

Joey Gerber will be called up to replace Garcia in the bullpen pic.twitter.com/QjZT9JrjlN
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) April 12, 2026

Garcia, 39, was excellent in the spring, allowing just one hit and no earned runs in five Grapefruit League innings. But once the 2026 season got underway, Garcia got off to a dreadful start for the Mets. In six appearances covering 6.1 innings, he surrendered 11 hits and five earned runs for a 7.11 ERA and a 2.05 WHIP.

The Mets signed Garcia to a guaranteed $1.75 million major league deal this offseason. They'll now be on the hook for that unless he gets claimed off waivers. Garcia recorded a solid 3.42 ERA over 55 1/3 innings with the Washington Nationals, LA Dodgers & Angels last season. He has a career 4.11 ERA.

It's the second DFA of the weekend for the Mets in their bullpen. Before the Garcia move, they called up longtime MLB veteran Craig Kimbrel on Saturday while DFA'ing Richard Lovelady.

The other newest member of the Mets bullpen, Joey Gerber, was called up to take Garcia's spot. In six minor league seasons, Gerber has a 3.53 ERA and 1.291 WHIP with 10.7 strikeouts per nine across 158 innings. The 28-year-old has pitched just 4.1 innings in the majors over the last five seasons, all last year with Tampa Bay.