St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jaime Garcia set to visit Dr. Andrews again

As the St. Louis Cardinals inch closer to the start of the 2014 season, Jaime Garcia hopes to be able to resume his throwing. It was only a few weeks ago that the Mexican native decided to seek Dr. James Andrews’ opinion on his shoulder after visiting with the team doctor, Dr. George Paletta.
May 17, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jaime Garcia (54) throws to a Milwaukee Brewers batter during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Image Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Garcia is set to visit Dr. Andrews’ Florida offices once more this week for two days of testing according to Post-Dispatch beat writer Rick Hummel. The visit was scheduled for last week but due to scheduling issues, it was pushed back to this week.

Don’t call it a setback. Or at least that’s what Garcia is saying. right now.

"“I’m very excited the way I feel right now,” said Garcia, who will be back in camp on Wednesday. “This is the opposite of a setback."

Garcia hopes to start throwing this week. He had been set to be the sole left-handed pitcher in the Cardinals starting rotation but then his shoulder issues started becoming bothersome.

With Garcia out of the current running for the rotation, it is increasingly likely that the Cardinals will go with an all-RHP rotation rather than opt to plug in Tyler Lyons or Tim Cooney as a left-handed pitching option.