Despite initial claims from the player and his coach that the Dutch midfielder would only be sidelined for a short length of time, the subsequent operation discovered significant damage in his knee that was not expected.
Initially, the club did not reveal when the perennially injured player would return but, following the Giallorossi's 1-1 draw with Empoli on Saturday, Garcia confessed that Strootman would not be back in action until 2015-16.
"Losing him, especially after a long injury, is a catastrophe for us," he told reporters after the game. "The season is over for Strootman."
Roma's injury list, which also includes Daniele De Rossi and Federico Balzaretti, grew even longer on Saturday when Argentine attacker Juan Iturbe was forced off in the first half against Empoli.
"Iturbe underwent tests this morning that revealed a distortive trauma to his right knee, with damage to the lateral collateral ligament," the club said in a statement.
"Iturbe also suffered a strain to his right ankle and potential ligament damage. The player has already started treatment on the injury."
Although Roma once again refused to predict when Iturbe will have recovered from ligament damage in both his knee and his ankle, it is widely expected that the 21-year-old will not make another appearance for the Italian giants this campaign.
