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The Minnesota Twins are one of three teams to "check in on" free agent starting pitcher Freddy Garcia recently, CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports. The Colorado Rockies and Cincinnati Reds are the other teams showing possible interest in the 36-year-old.
After rebounding from three injury-plagued seasons to become a solid starter in 2010-2011, Garcia filled more of a spot starter role with the New York Yankees in 2012. Making 17 starts and 13 relief appearances, the veteran had mixed results, posting a 5.20 ERA with strong strikeout figures but a heavy tendency to allow home runs.
It's unclear what role the Twins are looking at Garcia for at this point. He had greater effectiveness as a reliever last season, posting a 2.42 ERA in 22 relief innings, but the ability to eat innings may be more appealing to Minnesota brass. Garcia struggled badly as a starter in 2012, though, posting a 5.93 ERA over 85 innings.