May 9, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Luis Garcia against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Mets Sign Veteran Reliever to Bolster Bullpen

Originally posted on New York Mets on SI
By John Sparaco | Last updated Jan 21, 2026 3:06 PM ET

The New York Mets are adding to their bullpen.

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mets are in agreement with right-handed reliever Luis García on a free-agent contract, pending a physical. It is a one-year, $1.75 million major league deal that can reach up to $3 million with incentives, per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.

Source: The Mets are in agreement with reliever Luis Garcia, pending physical.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) January 21, 2026

García, who turns 39 later this month, is a 13-year veteran who has pitched for eight teams in the big leagues. He split last season among the Dodgers, Nationals and Angels, combining for a 3.42 ERA and 1.46 WHIP with 48 strikeouts in 55.1 innings.

Through 603 career appearances, García owns a 4.07 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 8.4 K/9 rate. The right-hander allows just 0.8 home runs per nine innings on average, and in 2025 permitted only two home runs across 58 outings. He consistently induces grounders at a high clip, having generated groundball rates of 49.7% or better in each of the past four seasons.

García is the third free-agent reliever to join the Mets on a major league deal this winter. They lost All-Star closer Edwin Díaz and each of the three arms they picked up at last year’s trade deadline, but have added right-handers Devin Williams and Luke Weaver to the back end.