3/4 Garza hit in back by line drive
Matt Garza was lifted from Friday’s game after two innings as a precautionary measure after he took a line drive off his back. Garza, making his first start and second Cactus League appearance, gave up a single to Billy Butler to open the Royals second and was then struck by Jeff Francoeur’s line drive on the lower right side of his back. Garza stayed in the game and finished the inning on the mound, and was scheduled to hit to open the third. Instead, he was lifted for a pinch-hitter. Cubs manager Mike Quade opted not to use a designated hitter to give Garza a chance to hit in game situations.
Maybe it was his jersey. Garza forgot his No. 17 jersey in Mesa and wore No. 94 in the game.
– Carrie Muskat
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