Justin Garza #51

Justin Charles Garza...Married his wife, Victoria, in January 2018...Angels were his favorite team growing up...Favorite MLB players were Pedro Martinez, Tim Lincecum & Darin Erstad...Was not selected to Indians Player Pool during 2020 season...Pitched three years for Cal State Fullerton (2013-15), finishing collegiate career with a 21-7 record and a 2.64 ERA In 41 outings (40 GS)...Departed Titans with 10th-lowest ERA in school history...Junior season ended after 12 starts after tearing a ligament in his pitching elbow...On May 23, 2014, became fourth Fullerton pitcher to toss a no-hitter and the first since Kirk Saarloos in 2001, fanning 12 against Cal State Northridge...During freshmen season (2013) named Second Team All-American (ABCA Rawlings, Baseball America, Louisville Slugger) and First Team freshmen All-American (Baseball America, Louisville Slugger, NCBWA) and Big West Pitcher of the Year, posting a 12-0 mark in 17 starts as the Titans finished the year with a 16-1 record in his starts (2.03 ERA, 115 IP - 26 ER, 95 SO)...In summer of 2014, pitched for USA Collegiate National Team, finishing with a 2-1 record with a 1.35 ERA in eight games (4 GS)...2012 graduate of Bonita HS (La Verne, Calif.)...Named to Max Preps and Baseball America All-American teams...Enjoys video games and spending time with his two golden retrievers.

2022

Spent entire season with Triple-A Columbus, totaling 37 relief appearances and led the Clippers staff with seven saves...50 strikeouts were tied for lead among Columbus relievers...His 37 relief appearances tied for second-most on Clippers staff...Began year on injured list with Columbus after appearing in six Spring Training games with Guardians as a non-roster invitee...Made season debut with Clippers May 28 vs. Buffalo...During a 19 game stretch from June 11 - Aug. 10, recorded five saves and pitched to a 1.66 ERA (21.2 IP - 4 ER) with 20 strikeouts...Held left-handers to a .146 (7/48) average for the season.

2021

Split the season between AA Akron, AAA Columbus and made 21 appearances out of the Cleveland bullpen after entering the season having not appeared above the High-A level...Opened the year at AA Akron and was promoted to AAA Columbus on May 7 after one appearance...Was promoted to Cleveland on June 24 after recording a 0.42 ERA over his first 13 Minor League outings (21.1IP, 6H, 1R/ER, 29SO, .088 AVG)…Made his Major League debut on June 27 at Minnesota...Recorded a 2.79 ERA over his first four outings (3ER/9.2IP) before being optioned back to Columbus on July 21...Recorded a career-high 3.1 IP (1R) on July 20 at Houston...Was recalled on July 31 and spent the remainder of the season in Cleveland...Combined on the year posted an ERA of 1.52 in 15 relief appearances (23.2IP, 8H, 4ER, 15BB, 32SO, .105 AVG)... Recorded a 2.03 ERA over his first six ML appearances (3ER/13.1IP) and a 7.04 ERA over his final 15 outings from August 5 thru the end of the season (15.1IP, 19H, 12ER, 16BB, 19SO)…Limited RH hitters to a .231 (15-for-65) average against and a .228 (13-for-57) mark with men on base...Recorded his first win on July 31 at Chicago-AL... Was designated for assignment on Nov. 19 and outrighted to AAA Columbus five days later after going unclaimed.

2020

 Did not pitch due to the cancelled Minor League season.

2019

Spent entire season at High-A Lynchburg, recording a 2.95 ERA in nine relief outings (21.1IP, 19H, 7ER)...Finished tied for seventh in the Carolina League in strikeouts (109) and 11th in innings pitched (119.0IP)…Tossed 5.0 hitless innings in his season debut, 4/4 at Myrtle Beach...Finished the season in the bullpen.

2018

Spent most of the season in the rotation at High-A Lynchburg around a pair of stints on the Injured List with a right elbow strain (May) and a six-week stint in July and August (left oblique strain)…Made six starts in the Arizona Fall League for Glendale after the regular season (1-3, 5.59 ERA, 12ER/19.1IP).

2015-17

 Reconstructive surgery on right elbow during college junior season (5/27/15) delayed the start of his professional career until late July, 2016...Split 2017 season at Low-A Lake County between the rotation and bullpen.