NEW YORK — Jhostynxon Garcia began receiving congratulations and packing Thursday afternoon ahead of Triple-A Worcester’s doubleheader at Polar Park.
The Red Sox’ No. 3 prospect, better known as “The Password,” joined the big league club as Boston opens up an important four-game series against the New York Yankees. Garcia is needed in the Bronx because right fielder Wilyer Abreu, who injured his calf in Sunday’s game and missed Monday and Tuesday, was placed on the injured list. Abreu has a right calf strain.
Garcia, who ranks as the No. 78 prospect in baseball, was on a flight to New York City around 4 p.m. ET in hopes of joining the Red Sox for their 7:15 p.m. ET first pitch at Yankee Stadium. He’ll begin the game on the bench but is likely to start Friday with left-hander Max Fried set to start for New York.
Garcia was informed by WooSox coaches shortly before a doubleheader against Jacksonville at Polar Park. He was scratched from the lineup and began his mad dash to New York.
“He smiled and he was pumped, excited,” Iggy Suarez, Worcester’s defensive coach, said. “But like, it wasn’t like he was ecstatic. I think he just was calculating what he just heard.”
Garcia, a 22-year-old native of Venezuela, rose up prospect lists with a strong 2024 season that saw him excel at three levels and finish at Double-A Portland. He spent much of spring training with the major league club before being optioned back to Portland, where he played 33 games before a promotion to Triple-A. In 66 games with Worcester after being promoted there on May 18, he has put up big numbers, hitting .303 with 17 homers, 12 doubles, 56 RBIs a .932 OPS while playing all three outfield positions (mostly center) and also getting work at first base, where he debuted over the weekend.
In Boston, Garcia will play mostly center field and start against left-handed pitchers, though he can play in all three outfield spots. There was a need for Garcia in the big leagues with Abreu and Rob Refsnyder (out with an oblique strain) both sidelined.
“He swings a lot. That’s the first thing,” said manager Alex Cora. “But he drives the ball to right-center, can do that with two strikes. He’s a great defender and baserunner. We’ll see. Most likely, he’ll play tomorrow and we’ll go from there.
“I’ll do the lineup, and if he’s playing every day, he’s playing.”
Garcia will join Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, Jarren Duran and Masataka Yoshida in a new-look outfield mix for a key four-game series in the Bronx this weekend. Against righties, expect Duran, Rafaela and Anthony to start in the outfield. Lefties will likely see a trio of Duran, Garcia and Anthony with Rafaela shifting to second base.
“He’s fun to watch because in today’s game it’s a lot of people just (wanting) to see homers,” Anthony recently said of Garcia, whose nickname “The Password,” comes from his unusual first name. “And I think with him, if you watch him long enough, he hits a lot of home runs, he hits a lot of doubles, he takes walks, he finds a way on, he’ll steal a bag. He’s just a fun player to watch. If you go to the ballpark, you’ll go home and you’ll know who he is.”
The Red Sox made a series of roster moves before first pitch. In addition to Garcia being called up and Abreu hitting the IL, the club recalled Richard Fitts and David Hamilton from the WooSox while designating first baseman Abraham Toro for assignment and sending down Isaiah Campbell. Garcia was already on the 40-man roster so the Sox have an open spot there.
The Red Sox were hopeful Abreu would avoid the injured list but he hadn’t progressed quickly enough to play Thursday. His 10-day IL stint is retroactive to Tuesday, so he’ll be eligible to return as soon as next Thursday in Baltimore.
“He was supposed to go out there and run today and he didn’t feel like he was ready for that, so I think it’s the right move,” said manager Alex Cora. “Hopefully, he’ll be back as soon as possible.”
The 22-year-old right-handed hitter made his first-base debut for the WooSox earlier this week. He began working out at first base earlier in the month. He has primarily spent time in the outfield during his career.
Garcia has played in 99 games this season between the Portland Sea Dogs and the WooSox. He has hit .303 for Worcester this season with a .367 on-base percentage, .564 slugging and .931 OPS.
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