The Astros shut down last week after the righty experienced in his elbow. The team hasnt provided much in the way of specifics since then, but manager Joe Espada told the beat on Tuesday that Garcia was going for a second opinion ( by Matt Kawahara of The Houston Chronicle). Garcia underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2023. He hasnt pitched in a major league game since then. Garcia was targeting Harry Gilles III Jersey a second-half return last season, which would have aligned with the standard TJS rehab timetable. They pulled back after he experienced elbow sorene s. That theoretically allowed them to slow-play his recovery as he targeted a 2025 return. The 28-year-old was going to begin this season on the injured list, but hed been on a throwing program this spring. They shut that down last week after the latest bout of elbow discomfort. Espada didnt say whether surgery was again a po sibility. Any mention of a second opinion tends to be alarming, though it doesnt guarantee Garcia sustained a significant injury. In any case, hes unlikely to pitch anytime soon, since the Astros will presumably exercise caution given his recent history. Houston will open the season with a starting five of , , , and . Garcia joins , and on the injured list. McCullers could return within the first few weeks, but he hasnt pitched in an MLB game since the 2022 World Series because of repeated setbacks of his own. and , neither of whom have pitched in the majors, project as the top depth arms on the 40-man roster. Gordon is beginning the season with Triple-A Sugar Land. The 26-year-old Gusto will break camp and work in long relief, the Astros announced earlier this week. Hell be in line for his major league debut after working 7 2/3 innings of one-run ball this spring (albeit with seven walks). Gusto actually received his first MLB call last September. The Astros tabbed him to start their final regular season game after clinching the AL West. They didnt want to burn one of their playoff starters for what was a meaningle s game, and they wouldve needed to add Gusto to the 40-man roster that offseason to keep him out of the Rule 5 draft. Unfortunately for Gusto, the game was canceled by rain, delaying his big league debut by a few months. Hassan Whiteside Jersey