Editorials

Dodgers News: Don Mattingly Concerned With Yimi Garcia’s Mentality

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Despite not having closer Kenley Jansen, the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen was a strength in the early stages this season. As expected, there’s been some regression, particularly for Yimi Garcia.

The right-hander was among the pitchers used in late-game situations and excelled until hitting a rough patch in mid-May. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said recently he isn’t worried about Garcia’s physical ability whatsoever, but his mental state, according to Bill Plunkett of the OC Register:



You look at his numbers – and kind of everything but that has been really good. I worry about his mentality as much as anything. I don’t worry about his stuff. I just don’t want him to get gunshy because really he’s gotten some big outs for us and continues to get big outs. But then all of a sudden there comes a homer again. It seems like we get two or three good games and then something like that happens.”

Before May 11, Garcia’s ERA was 0.63 and was dropping with every appearance he made. Since then, his ERA has dipped below 3.00 just one time. On June 15 Garcia began a scoreless streak which lasted seven games, but that came to an end June 29 when he blew his fifth save of the season.

Garcia allowed a one-out base hit to Juan Lagares in the eighth inning Saturday, and was promptly removed. Lagares wound up scoring and made it three consecutive games Garcia has been charged with at least one run.

On the season Garcia has eight holds, one save and five blown saves in 39 appearances. Additionally, he’s posted a 3.82 ERA and 1.05 WHIP to go with 51 strikeouts in 35.1 innings.

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One Comment

  1. The guy has got mechanical issues with his delivery. Nothing he throws breaks down due to his short 3/4 delivery. His breaking balls all break across and stay on the plane of the bat. If he elevates a pitch it ends up staying right in a hitter wheel house. That’s why he gives up home runs and long, long, long fly ball outs. This guy is just scary to watch if you’re a Dodger fan. Plus he himself looks scared out of his mind when he’s pitching.

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