Infield prospect García called up after Castro breaks wrist

BALTIMORE - The Nationals' second base plans just took a dramatic turn in a direction they probably weren't expecting to go in August 2020.

After Starlin Castro broke his right wrist making a diving play during today's resumption of Sunday's suspended game, the club promoted top prospect Luis García off their traveling taxi squad and put the 20-year-old in their starting lineup for tonight's regularly scheduled game against the Orioles.

Castro's injury came as he dove for Bryan Holaday's grounder to the right side of the infield in the top of the sixth, the second batter after Sunday's suspended game at Nationals Park resumed today at Camden Yards. Castro stayed in the game and actually played in the field in the top of the seventh before departing.

Roughly 40 minutes after the Nats' 6-2 loss was in the books, the club announced X-rays taken on Castro revealed a broken wrist. He was immediately placed on the 10-day injured list, with García the surprise call-up.

The 20-year-old New York native who grew up in the Dominican Republic hasn't played above Double-A, but has long been highly touted within the organization. He was selected to participate in the alternate training camp in Fredericksburg this season and was one of five players picked to join the big league club on this road trip as a member of the taxi squad.

At the time, team officials said they wanted to get an up-close look at García, but also acknowledged they'd be willing to call him up if the need arose, which it now has.

Despite his young age, the 6-foot-2, 211-lb. Garcia is a commanding physical presence. At spring training this year, he often was mistaken for Juan Soto, given their similar stances at the plate.

In three minor league seasons, Garcia hit .281 with 12 homers, 106 RBIs, a .312 on-base percentage and a .685 OPS. He spent all of 2019 at Double-A Harrisburg.

To clear a spot for Garcia on the 40-man roster, the Nationals transferred reliever Sam Freeman to the 60-day IL.