Ailing Garcia undergoes MRI for right forearm

VIERA, Fla. -- Of the two things that ail Christian Garcia -- right forearm tightness and a stomach issue -- one has been cleared up while the Nationals pitcher is still waiting on the one issue that could potentially be more serious.

Bothered by a stomach ailment the last couple days, Garcia did not participate in his bullpen session on Wednesday -- though he did throw long toss -- and did not practice Thursday. He said he's feeling better, but also received an MRI for an issue with his right forearm.

He has not received those results, but Garcia -- who twice had Tommy John surgery while in the Yankees' organization -- doesn't believe it to be a major concern.

"As long as it's not my elbow or shoulder, it's something that at minimum we can get it fixed, in a short amount of time, too," Garcia said.

He said he only feels the tight pulling sensations when he throws his fastball, not any of his breaking pitches.

There was some concern that Garcia's stomach issue could be his appendix, but he says that possibility has been ruled out.

"[It's] a lot better than anywhere else," manager Davey Johnson said of the arm issue. "And it might be, who knows, it might be a bruise -- no telling what. But he doesn't have appendicitis, we know that. Because he had those stomach pains. Hopefully he'll be all right tomorrow."