NEW YORK –  Early Thursday afternoon, Jhostynxon Garcia was in the Red Sox Triple-A clubhouse getting a bite to eat when his manager pulled him into his office and asked him if he’d ever been to Yankee Stadium before.

“Not yet,” the 22-year-old outfielder said.

“Do you want to go?” Chad Tracy responded.

“Of course,” Garcia replied.

“Today?” Tracy asked.

Less than four hours and one first-class plane ride later, Garcia walked into Yankee Stadium to join the Boston Red Sox.

“Very special day, I didn’t expect this today,” Garcia said (through translator Carlos Benitez) as he sat in the visitors’ dugout wearing a brand-new Red Sox cap. “Happiness. It’s just happiness, and also the sentiments that it’s something that I’ve been fighting (for) since I was a little kid, that was a dream come true, and for me to be able to be here, I feel that that’s very special. And also, I’m proud of myself to be able to make it to the big leagues.”

After sitting out since Aug. 18 with a right calf ailment, Wilyer Abreu was originally slated to return to the Red Sox lineup during the four-game Yankees series. Instead, the Red Sox placed their Gold Glove right-fielder on the 10-day injured list and promoted Garcia. Or ‘The Password,’ as he’s known in the baseball world.

“(Abreu) was supposed to go out there and run today and he didn’t feel that he was ready for that, so I think it’s the right move,” said manager Alex Cora pregame, adding that the injury hasn’t necessitated an MRI. “I think we’re in a good spot, but not in a great spot, let’s put it that way.”

Garcia, who currently ranks as the organization’s No. 3 prospect on MLB Pipeline and slotted in at No. 95 on Baseball America’s overall Top 100 last month, is expected 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 home runs, 52 runs and 56 RBI in 66 WooSox games since his promotion from Double-A earlier this season.

“He swings a lot, but drives the ball to right-center, can do that with two strikes, he’s a great defender and good base-runner,” Cora said.

“I feel like I would describe myself as a very athletic and quick guy, a fast guy in the outfield,” Garcia self-assessed. “I feel that those are the big tools that I have, and also strong, as well.”

It’s an especially high-stakes debut weekend for Garcia. The Red Sox and Yankees entered the series in third and second place, respectively, and they hold the top two American League Wild Cards.

“Very special, very special to have my MLB debut here in New York, and even more with all the rivalry,” said Garcia, who grew up watching David Ortiz and Alex Rodriguez facing off.

“Just to come here, four-game series – a meaningful series finally, right, late in the season,” Cora said. “We haven’t had one of those here in a while. So come here, embrace the whole situation, and enjoy it and go out there and have fun.”

The last time the Red Sox were such legitimate contenders was 2021.

“That’s too long ago,” said Cora.

Tough call with Toro

NEW YORK – The Red Sox made a slew of roster moves Thursday afternoon in preparation for a crucial four-game series at Yankee Stadium, including the designation for assignment of a player who helped stabilize their infield at a crucial juncture earlier this season.

After first baseman Triston Casas’ season-ending knee injury the first weekend of May, the Red Sox brought utility-man Abraham Toro up from Triple-A. Toro, 28, played 77 games for Boston, including 68 appearances at first base.

Signing ‘23 Gold Glove first baseman Nathaniel Lowe earlier this week, however, created a roster crunch. Thus, Toro was DFA’ed, and middle infielder David Hamilton recalled from Triple-A.

“He was going to play less, bringing Hammy here,” Cora said. “We’re not here without (Toro). He did an amazing job. Yeah, he struggled at the end, numbers-wise, but… he hit the ball through. The picks at first base throughout the whole time here, he was amazing. Played third, hit third, second, whatever we needed (from) him, he did. I’m very proud of him. We’ll see what the future holds.”

Extra innings

Justin Slaten will make his second rehab assignment for Triple-A Worcester Friday. Cora said “there’s a chance” the righty only needs two, but they have to “make sure” because Slaten is “too important for us to rush.” The plan is for Slaten to pitch again Sunday and rejoin the team later next week… 2018 World Series champion Craig Kimbrel is signing with the Houston Astros.