Victor Garcia made spring 1992 with the Reds, but abruptly left; Played five seasons, missed bigs

Originally published Nov. 25, 2012
Reds prospect Victor Garcia started camp in 1992 with Cincinnati. In early March, though, the veteran of four minor league seasons abruptly left.

The Associated Press wrote the native of the Dominican Republic told the team he needed to sort out immigration issues. Teammate and fellow Dominican Jose Rijo speculated maybe it was something else.

"Maybe he got a little homesick," Rijo told The AP.

Whatever the reason for Garcia's departure, he wasn't credited with pitching at all that season and pitched just one more season in his career. He never made the majors.

Garcia's career began in 1988, signed by Cincinnati as an undrafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic.

Garcia played that first season in rookie ball, in the Gulf Coast League. The right-hander went 4-4 in 13 starts, with a 2.27 ERA.

For 1989, Garcia moved to relief, posting a 2.75 ERA at single-A Greensboro and amassing 10 wins to a single defeat.

Moving to single-A Cedar Rapids for 1990, Garcia went out to the mound 49 times. He also lowered his ERA to just 1.52 and picked up 15 saves.

For 1991, Garcia moved up to AA Chattanooga and then AAA Nashville. Between them, he went 7-3 in 55 outings, with a 2.19 ERA.

Then came 1992 and his departure from the team. Without a pitching credit for the entire season, Garcia returned for 1993. This time, he split time between high-A Winston-Salem and Chattanooga. In 41 outings, his ERA expanded to 4.26. It was his final year as a pro.

• Harlan Daily Enterprise, Associated Press, March 6, 1992: Rijo expected to start exhibition opener