Onelki García is a seasoned veteran in the Caribbean circuits. The left-hander from Guantánamo, Cuba has seen action in the four major leagues of the CPBC, MLB and the Nippon League. García was a key signee for the Navegantes de Magallanes of the Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional and then was inactived after only tossing ⅔ of an inning and striking out a battle.
The hurler recently saw action in the Choque de Gigantes tournament held in Miami after a lack of pitchers due to visa restrictions. García pitched two scoreless innings in relief during Magallanes’ 3-2 win over the Estrellas Orientales. Once he returned to Venezuela with the team he was once again put on the shelf by the ” Nave Turca”.
García can be serviceable to plenty of teams in the Caribbean if he is let go by Magallanes and could definitely help any squad for the Round Robin or even step in and a take up a spot in a lot of rotations without a doubt. We spoke to the pitcher about his situation during the Choque of Gigantes tournament
Tell me about the level of play in this tournament.
Good afternoon, first off all. The level of play in this tournament is very good, it has very good players, it has quality teams and the truth is that there is strong competition here. I am very proud to represent this tournament here.
You were inactive for a long time with Magallanes. Was there an injury or was it for another reason?
I don’t really know what happened there. I didn’t pitch with Magallanes for a month. I really prepared myself, I was doing the BP the whole time and competing with the guys on the outside, preparing for some action in case they put me in, since manager Blasini told me that they were going to put me in. But hey, they have their plans and it wasn’t like that. Thank God I’m in good health and I was able to prove it yesterday by throwing here.
You had a good relief outing yesterday. How did you stay ready for that outing?
Well, the truth is I’m a professional and I can do any job: I can start, I can relieve. I also kept my mind fresh. I knew I had gone a month without pitching in a game, but everything turned out positive. I kept training because that’s what you do as a professional, until they gave me the opportunity to leave.
After this tournament, what will be your role with the team?
The truth is I don’t know. I hope that today they make a decision about me soon so I can see what will happen in the future to Onelki with Magallanes. My role is starter, but let’s wait to see what happens.
You returned to the stadium where you played the semifinal of the World Classic with Cuba. How did you feel?
Hey, I feel very happy as I am Cuban and this is home, returning here to Miami where I played in the World Classic as you said makes me happy. This is a nice stadium, with a nice fan base and let’s hope today we are champions. I am very happy.
I know it’s still early in the winter, but do you have any offers for the summer?
Well, in the summer I play with Charros. I’m still with Charros de Jalisco. Until now I am on the team reserve list and I am calmly waiting for the season.