NEW YORK – Early Thursday afternoon, Jhostynxon Garcia was within the Pink Sox Triple-A clubhouse getting a chew to eat when his supervisor pulled him into his workplace and requested him if he’d ever been to Yankee Stadium earlier than.
“Not but,” the 22-year-old outfielder mentioned.
“Do you wish to go?” Chad Tracy responded.
“After all,” Garcia replied.
“Right now?” Tracy requested.
Lower than 4 hours and one first-class airplane experience later, Garcia walked into Yankee Stadium to affix the Boston Pink Sox.
“Very special occasion, I didn’t anticipate this as we speak,” Garcia mentioned (by translator Carlos Benitez) as he sat within the guests’ dugout carrying a brand-new Pink Sox cap. “Happiness. It’s simply happiness, and in addition the feelings that it’s one thing that I’ve been preventing (for) since I used to be a bit child, that was a dream come true, and for me to have the ability to be right here, I really feel that that’s very particular. And in addition, I’m happy with myself to have the ability to make it to the large leagues.”
After sitting out since Aug. 18 with a proper calf ailment, Wilyer Abreu was initially slated to return to the Pink Sox lineup through the four-game Yankees collection. As a substitute, the Pink Sox positioned their Gold Glove right-fielder on the 10-day injured record and promoted Garcia. Or ‘The Password,’ as he’s recognized within the baseball world.
“(Abreu) was imagined to go on the market and run as we speak and he didn’t really feel that he was prepared for that, so I believe it’s the correct transfer,” mentioned supervisor Alex Cora pregame, including that the damage hasn’t necessitated an MRI. “I believe we’re in a great place, however not in an ideal spot, let’s put it that method.”
Garcia, who at present ranks because the group’s No. 3 prospect on MLB Pipeline and slotted in at No. 95 on Baseball America’s general Prime 100 final month, is predicted to make his big-league debut Friday. He can play all three outfield positions, has been working at first base in Triple-A, and hit 303/.367/.564 with 80 hits, 12 doubles, 17 house runs, 52 runs and 56 RBI in 66 WooSox video games since his promotion from Double-A earlier this season.
“He swings rather a lot, however drives the ball to right-center, can try this with two strikes, he’s an ideal defender and good base-runner,” Cora mentioned.
“I really feel like I’d describe myself as a really athletic and fast man, a quick man within the outfield,” Garcia self-assessed. “I really feel that these are the large instruments that I’ve, and in addition sturdy, as nicely.”
It’s an particularly high-stakes debut weekend for Garcia. The Pink Sox and Yankees entered the collection in third and second place, respectively, they usually maintain the highest two American League Wild Playing cards.
“Very particular, very particular to have my MLB debut right here in New York, and much more with all of the rivalry,” mentioned Garcia, who grew up watching David Ortiz and Alex Rodriguez dealing with off.
“Simply to return right here, four-game collection – a significant collection lastly, proper, late within the season,” Cora mentioned. “We haven’t had a kind of right here shortly. So come right here, embrace the entire state of affairs, and luxuriate in it and go on the market and have enjoyable.”
The final time the Pink Sox have been such legit contenders was 2021.
“That’s too way back,” mentioned Cora.
Powerful name with Toro
NEW YORK – The Pink Sox made a slew of roster strikes Thursday afternoon in preparation for a vital four-game collection at Yankee Stadium, together with the designation for project of a participant who helped stabilize their infield at a vital juncture earlier this season.
After first baseman Triston Casas’ season-ending knee damage the primary weekend of Could, the Pink Sox introduced utility-man Abraham Toro up from Triple-A. Toro, 28, performed 77 video games for Boston, together with 68 appearances at first base.
Signing ‘23 Gold Glove first baseman Nathaniel Lowe earlier this week, nonetheless, created a roster crunch. Thus, Toro was DFA’ed, and center infielder David Hamilton recalled from Triple-A.
“He was going to play much less, bringing Hammy right here,” Cora mentioned. “We’re not right here with out (Toro). He did a tremendous job. Yeah, he struggled on the finish, numbers-wise, however… he hit the ball by. The picks at first base all through the entire time right here, he was superb. Performed third, hit third, second, no matter we would have liked (from) him, he did. I’m very happy with him. We’ll see what the longer term holds.”
Additional innings
Justin Slaten will make his second rehab project for Triple-A Worcester Friday. Cora mentioned “there’s an opportunity” the righty solely wants two, however they should “ensure that” as a result of Slaten is “too necessary for us to hurry.” The plan is for Slaten to pitch once more Sunday and rejoin the crew later subsequent week… 2018 World Sequence champion Craig Kimbrel is signing with the Houston Astros.
