A spring standout won’t open the 2026 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Pittsburgh optioned Jhostynxon Garcia to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday. The Pirates took another step toward finalizing their 26-man roster by also sending down utility man Tyler Callihan.

Garcia joined the Pirates last December as part of a multi-player trade that saw starting pitcher Johan Oviedo go to the Boston Red Sox. The outfielder made MLB’s top-100 prospect rankings late last year by batting .271/.334/.498 with 18 home runs in 81 games at Triple-A Worcester.

Given a brief taste of the big leagues, Garcia went 1-for-7 with two walks and five strikeouts for the Red Sox last August. While the trade distanced him from Boston’s outfield logjam, Pittsburgh added other options this offseason.

Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz return to an outfield that welcomes Jake Mangum from the Tampa Bay Rays. Free-agent signing Ryan O’Hearn could start at right field, and Marcell Ozuna will handle the designated hitter duties.

That likely meant Garcia would have served a limited bench role, potentially filling the short end of a platoon against left-handed pitchers, if he made the team. The Pirates will instead give the 23-year-old more reps in Indianapolis.

As a result, Garcia will go to Triple-A despite impressive spring results. Pittsburgh’s No. 6-ranked prospect on MLB.com batted 15-of-37 with two home runs and three stolen bases in 17 games.

Acquired from the Cincinnati Reds earlier this month, Callihan was a candidate to make the bench in a utility role. Top prospect Konnor Griffin remains among the 35 players at Pittsburgh’s big league camp.

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