NEW YORK -- The Red Sox are unlocking The Password at the big league level -- and just in time to join MLB’s most historic rivalry.
Prior to Thursday’s opener of a four-game series at Yankee Stadium, Boston called up Jhostynxon Garcia, its No. 3 prospect and the No. 77 overall per MLB Pipeline.
"It is very special to have my MLB debut here in New York with the rivalry over the years. To be here now is very special,” said Garcia.
The 22-year-old outfielder was signed out of Venezuela in 2019 and now brings his memorable nickname to the bigs, derived from his first name, Jhostynxon (pronounced JOES-tin-son). His brother Johanfran, nicknamed The Username, was signed three years later by the Red Sox and ranks as the team's No. 28 prospect.
The right-handed hitter is known for mashing home runs, making stellar plays in the outfield and long hair that flows below his shoulders.
He is expected to make his first Major League start on Friday night against Yankees ace lefty Max Fried.
Garcia was informed of his callup on Thursday afternoon when the Red Sox decided that right fielder Wilyer Abreu needed to go on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to Monday) with a right calf strain.
The rush was then on for Garcia to get on an airplane from Worcester, Mass., to LaGuardia, and he got to Yankee Stadium a little over an hour before first pitch.
Not long after, he was in the visitors' dugout talking to the Boston media.
What was the feeling as he walked into Yankee Stadium as a Major Leaguer?
“Happiness,” Garcia said. “It's just happiness. And this is something that I've been fighting for since I was a little kid. It’s a dream come true. For me to be able to be here, I feel like that's very special. I'm proud of myself to be able to make it to the big leagues. I was able to talk to my parents after I got the news, and I started crying and was very emotional.”
Garcia's promotion came on a day the Red Sox made several other roster moves: The club recalled infielder David Hamilton from Triple-A Worcester, designated Abraham Toro for assignment and recalled righty Richard Fitts from Worcester. The addition of Fitts comes as the corresponding move to Wednesday's demotion of Isaiah Campbell to Triple-A.
With Rob Refsnyder (left oblique strain) and Abreu both sidelined with short-term ailments, it remains to be seen how long Garcia’s first stint in the Majors will last.
"Talked to [Triple-A manager Chad Tracy] today, [Garcia] swings a lot. So that's the first thing,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “He swings a lot but drives the ball to right-center. He can do that with two strikes. He's a great defender, a good baserunner. We'll see. Most likely he'll start [Friday] and we’ll go from there.”
The Password was tearing up Triple-A pitching, with 17 homers, 56 RBIs and a .931 OPS in 66 games. He joins Boston's young outfield mix alongside Jarren Duran, Roman Anthony and Ceddanne Rafaela.
The Red Sox, in the thick of the postseason race at 68-59, have been leaning into their youth the last two seasons.
“One more rookie,” said Cora. “Just keep going. I think they're excited to be here, excited to be in Yankee Stadium, understanding where we’re at.”