MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Avisail Garcia lost 36 pounds in the offseason.

He also worked with Brewers hitting coach Andy Haines after a disappointing .236 batting average last season. He’s already seen results in spring training.

"I want to be on the same page as what he is thinking,” Garcia said. “That is going to help me the whole season, and I’m focused on trying to move my hips and to have balance and be early. It gives me a really good chance to hit the ball hard and make good contact.”

Garcia played plenty of center field last season after Lorenzo Cain opted out. With Cain back, Garcia seemed slated to play on a regular basis in right field in 2021.

However, Garcia figures to be significantly impacted by the Brewers’ signing of Jackie Bradley Jr. Garcia says the team gave him an advance heads-up in a meeting. Garcia says he’s not worried about playing time, claiming if everyone stays healthy, all of the outfielders will play a lot of games.

Brewers manager Craig Counsell praises how Garcia has handled the situation.

"He was a true professional, that’s the way I would describe it. I think he was concerned and rightfully so, I think that’s fair,” Counsell said. “But we have […] the way we are looking at this is that there are at bats to go around. I think it will keep everyone really productive.”

Garcia is in the final year of a two-year, $20 million contract with a club option for next year. He likes the Brewers’ rare chemistry.

"We spend so much time together [...] for this group, like how I feel and I know how they feel, you can see everybody smile, everybody’s happy and everybody’s having fun,” Garcia said.

He said it feels more like a normal year, preparing for a full schedule of 162 games.