Rico Garcia flip-flops back to Mets after ugly Yankees outing

Rico Garcia might need to re-fill his MetroCard. 

The right-handed reliever had already bounced between the Mets and Yankees this season, and he’s now heading back to Flushing Meadows for a second stint with the Mets, who picked him up off waivers on Monday.

Garcia, 31, signed a minor-league deal with the Mets in the offseason and began the year with Triple-A Syracuse, before joining the big-league club for a brief stretch in early July, when he twirled 4 2/3 scoreless innings across two appearances.

He was designated for assignment soon after, and the Yankees picked him up off waivers over the All-Star break. 

Just days later, he was back on waivers after surrendering three earned runs in 2 2/3 innings in Friday’s 7-3 loss to the Braves, and he’s now a Met once again.

Rico Garcia with the Mets on July 6. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

The 31-year-old Garcia, a journeyman in his fifth MLB season, has grinded out a pro baseball career after getting picked by the Rockies in the 30th round of the 2016 draft out of Hawaii Pacific University.

Besides the Mets and Yankees, he has also spent time with the Nationals, Athletics, Orioles, Giants and Rockies, although he has only pitched a total of 43 big-league innings across his career. 

Rico Garcia with the Yankees on July 18. Getty Images

Most of his time has been spent in the minors, and he holds a 3.63 ERA in his minor-league career.

In his stint with Syracuse earlier this season, Garcia notched a 4.45 ERA in 30.1 innings across 24 appearances. 

The Honolulu native will likely play a role in the Mets bullpen for the immediate future, especially with relievers A.J. Minter (lat), Danny Young (elbow), Drew Smith (elbow), Dedniel Núñez (elbow), Max Kranick (elbow) and José Buttó (illness) all currently sidelined.

Garcia’s long-term outlook with the team is uncertain, though, with the Mets likely to acquire relief pitching at the July 31 trade deadline.