Justin Charles Garza (born March 20, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Cleveland Indians.
Early life and amateur career
Garza grew up in Ontario, California, and attended Bonita High School. He was named a high school All-American as a senior by Baseball America after posting a 12–1 record on the mound with a 0.72 earned run average (ERA) and 101 strikeouts over 88 innings pitched. Garza was selected in the 26th round of the 2012 MLB draft by the Cleveland Indians, but opted not to sign.
Garza played college baseball for the Cal State Fullerton Titans for three seasons. As a freshman, he went 12–0 with a 2.03 ERA and a team-leading 95 strikeouts and was named the Big West Conference pitcher of the year. Garza's junior season was cut short after he suffered a partially torn UCL that required Tommy John surgery. He finished his collegiate career with 21–7 career record with a 2.64 ERA and 208 strikeouts in innings pitched.
Professional career
Cleveland Indians/Guardians
Garza was drafted by the Cleveland Indians for a second time in the eighth round of the 2015 MLB draft. After signing with the team, Garza spent rest of the 2015 and much of the 2016 rehabbing from his surgery before being assigned to the Arizona League Indians towards the end of the season. In 2017, Garza pitched for the Single-A Lake County Captains, posting a 4–6 record and 5.83 ERA in 26 appearances. In 2018, Garza split the season between the Low-A Mahoning Valley Scrappers and the High-A Lynchburg Hillcats of the Carolina League, accumulating a 5–6 record and 3.36 ERA in 18 games between the two teams. In 2019, Garza returned to Lynchburg, and pitched to a 6–9 record and 4.99 ERA with 109 strikeouts in 119 innings of work.
Garza did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. To begin the 2021 season, he was assigned to the Akron RubberDucks of the Double-A Northeast before being promoted to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers after one appearance. In 12 games with Columbus, Garza notched a stellar 0.44 ERA with 28 strikeouts. The Indians selected Garza's contract and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time on June 24, 2021. Garza made his major league debut on June 27, and pitched innings of one-run relief with three strikeouts against the Minnesota Twins in an 8–2 loss. Garza earned his first career win on July 31, 2021, after pitching two innings of scoreless relief in a 12–11 victory over the Chicago White Sox.
Garza was designated for assignment by the newly-named Cleveland Guardians on November 19, 2021. After clearing waivers, he was outrighted to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers on November 24, 2021. Garza elected minor league free agency on November 10, 2022.
Los Angeles Angels
On December 12, 2022, Garza signed a one-year major league deal with the Los Angeles Angels. Garza was optioned to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees to start the 2023 season. He made six appearances for Salt Lake, posting a 4.32 ERA with 5 strikeouts in innings pitched before he was designated for assignment on April 21, 2023.
Boston Red Sox
On April 28, 2023, Garza was claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox and was optioned to the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox. He was added to Boston's active roster on May 16, and optioned back to Worcester on July 8. Later in July, he was briefly called up for two days.