Cincinnati, sitting last in the NL Central, closed out a three-game set vs. the New York Yankees with a 5-1 win on Sunday and then called up 31-year-old minor leaguer Julian Garcia for his long-awaited MLB debut. Garcia has posted an ERA of 3.03 over 35.2 inni
The Cincinnati Reds have been stuck in last place in the NL Central, and on Sunday they tried to change the tone themselves.
They finished their weekend series against the New York Yankees with a 5-1 win in the series finale, taking the three-game set in the process. Then, on Sunday night, Cincinnati turned to the bullpen by calling up a minor-league player who will make his first big-league appearance — despite being 31.
The call-up is Julian Garcia, a 10th round pick from 2016 who has spent the years since grinding through the minors. After a much-anticipated path that stretched a decade, he’s finally getting the opportunity to pitch in MLB, and the timing comes as the Reds look for any spark they can find.
Garcia arrives in Cincinnati’s system with numbers that have demanded attention. This season he is posting an ERA of 3.03 across 35.2 innings over 21 games, including two starts. It’s only his second season with the Reds organization; before that. he spent the first seven years of his career with Philadelphia’s minor-league affiliates.
His Philadelphia story didn’t follow a straight line. In 2019, he was solid for the Phillies’ minor-league teams, but he struggled in Double-A and couldn’t recover. By 2022, his ERA had ballooned to 8.86, and that performance ultimately led to his washout from the organization.
Since then, Garcia has rebuilt himself, working his way back through stints in the American Association and in Puerto Rico. When the Reds picked him up in 2025, he arrived with a pristine 1.13 ERA across 16.0 Double-A innings. He carried that improvement forward with impactful performances in the minors, leading to the long-awaited call-up.
For Reds fans, it’s a reminder that patience can pay off — even if it takes 10 years. Now. with Cincinnati searching for momentum and finishing last in the NL Central. Garcia’s MLB debut comes with the weight of a golden opportunity. The question is whether the pitcher who kept pushing through setbacks can deliver when the spotlight finally lands on him.
Cincinnati Reds Julian Garcia MLB debut New York Yankees NL Central bullpen call-up 5-1 win minor leagues ERA 3.03 35.2 innings
31 and finally getting called up… MLB is wild. Reds better not waste him.
Wait so the Reds won 5-1 and then immediately pulled up some dude? Sounds like he’s gonna pitch against the Yankees again? Either way 5-1 is nice.
They said his ERA is 3.03 over 35.2 innings but also something about 21 games? I’m confused like is that MLB or minors. Also 10th round pick means he was probably trash for years lol.
I don’t get why it took 10 years like can’t Cincinnati just sign someone younger. But I guess 1.13 ERA in Double-A is supposed to mean he’s good? Still, bullpen call-ups usually flop so I’ll wait and see.