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White Sox lose Avisail Garcia for season because of torn labrum in shoulder

A big piece of the Chicago White Sox's rebuilding effort has been lost for the season.

Outfielder Avisail Garcia made a great catch Wednesday to rob a batter of extra bases at Colorado, but he tore the labrum in his left shoulder making the dive in right field. He will have surgery next week.

Just 22 years old, Garcia came over from the Detroit Tigers in a three-way deal for right-hander Jake Peavy near the trade deadline in 2013. Garcia is a .287/.323/.411 hitter with nine home runs in 341 plate appearances in his career for the White Sox and Tigers. His 6-foot-4, 240-pound frame, along with his numbers in the upper minors, suggested he was capable of much more.

His diving play robbed D.J. LaMahieu of perhaps extra bases in the sixth inning of a game the Rockies eventually won 10-4. It would be his final play of the season.

Garcia, along with Cuban slugger Jose Abreu, outfielder Adam Eaton and infielder Matt Davidson (still in the minors) were to be factors for the team's resurgence. After hitting his first two home runs of the season Tuesday, and playing part of the Wednesday game before coming out, Garcia was batting .267/.353/.467.

The White Sox have recalled Jordan Danks (John's brother) to fill the roster spot. Dayan Viciedo would seem a logical substitute for Garcia, though it's possible Alejandro De Aza might play right field and Viciedo left. Garcia's injury not only harms Chicago's chances to contend this season, but it also sets back their long-term plans to be a power again in the AL Central. It's a proper day to be bummed out if you're a Sox fan.

 

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David Brown edits Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at rdbrown@yahoo-inc.com and follow him on Twitter!

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