Atlanta signed Garcia to a minor-league contract Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Garcia did not play MLB-affiliated ball in 2023 after being released by the White Sox in the spring, but he just completed an impressive run in the Dominican Winter League and will function as organizational depth for the reigning NL East champs in 2024. The 32-year-old can play just about anywhere defensively.

Garcia was released by the White Sox on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

The White Sox have decided to eat the $11 million Garcia has remaining on his contract over the next two years. The veteran utility player should be able to land on his feet somewhere now that he can be had at the veteran minimum, although it's possible he'll have to spend some time in the minors first.

Garcia didn't make the White Sox's Opening Day roster, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Chicago has yet to officially announce a roster move, but it appears Garcia won't be included on the club's Opening Day roster. The veteran utility player has two years and $11 million remaining on his contract, but the White Sox opted to cut their losses after he had a .210/.233/.267 slash line in 97 games last season.

Garcia (hand) will return to the White Sox' Cactus League lineup Wednesday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Garcia has been battling a left hand issue but is apparently past it. The 32-year-old is set for a utility role again in 2023 and will be looking to bounce back from a dreadful 2022 campaign which saw him post just a .500 OPS over 97 contests.

Garcia is being viewed as a backup for the White Sox this season, per LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune.

EDGE Analysis

Garcia drew quite a bit of playing time under former manager Tony La Russa, but new skipper Pedro Grifol is expected to lean more toward Romy Gonzalez and Lenyn Sosa for the starts at second base. The offseason addition of Andrew Benintendi -- and the rise of top prospect Oscar Colas -- will also cloud the path for Garcia to get looks in the corner outfield. The lack of an everyday role means most fantasy managers can fade Garcia in drafts.

White Sox acting manager Miguel Cairo disclosed Wednesday that Garcia hasn't appeared in a game since Sept. 20 due to ongoing back soreness, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Garcia was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Aug. 27 after a brief absence due to a lower-back strain, and the pain apparently resurfaced at some point shortly thereafter. According to Cairo, the back issue affects Garcia at the plate but not in the field, which explains why the White Sox have declined to place the 31-year-old back on the IL while he's capable of serving as a late-inning defensive replacement. Garcia will wrap up the 2022 campaign with a .210/.233/.267 slash line in 315 plate appearances.

Garcia is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Mariners, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Garcia picked up starts at third base in three of the previous four games, but he's expected to fill more of a utility role moving forward with the White Sox returning Yoan Moncada (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Monday.

Garcia is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Garcia will head to the bench Sunday after he went 0-for-4 in his return from the injured list Saturday. Romy Gonzalez will start at the keystone and bat leadoff in the series finale versus Arizona.

Garcia (back) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Garcia will rejoin the active roster after a minimal stint on the injured list due to a lower-back strain. He went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts during a rehab game at Triple-A Charlotte on Friday and should see plenty of playing time at second base since Yoan Moncada (hamstring) landed on the IL on Saturday.

Garcia (back) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Friday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Garcia landed on the shelf with a lower-back strain Aug. 17, and he's now been cleared for game action in the minors. It should be a brief rehab stint for the 31-year-old given the brevity of his absence.