NEW YORK – It’s been a whirlwind first five days in the Majors for Richard Fitts.

Last Saturday afternoon, Triple-A Worcester manager Chad Tracy told the right-hander that instead of starting for the WooSox on Sunday, he needed to get to Boston to be available in case the Red Sox needed him to take the mound for them, instead. Indeed, on Sunday afternoon, Fitts became a Major Leaguer.

Five days later, he walked into Yankee Stadium for the first time.

This is about the polar opposite of how Fitts, 24, thought he’d get to the Bronx. This time last season, he was wrapping up a standout season for the Yankees’ Double-A team in Somerset, New Jersey.

A year later, he’s a Red Sox big-leaguer and the ballpark he hoped to call home someday is enemy territory. But for the smiley right-hander, there are no hard feelings; he’s just thrilled to be a part of it all.

“I’m just happy to be in the stadium, it’s my first time,” he told the Herald on Thursday afternoon. “Took a deep breath when I walked out (to the field). It was really cool just to see it, because this is where I did dream of playing, and it’s still a place that I dream of playing, just because it is the big leagues.”

Joining baseball’s greatest rivalry isn’t something Fitts takes lightly.

“As far as baseball goes, I don’t think there’s anything that goes as hard as Yankees versus Red Sox,” he said. “As soon as I got drafted, I was just so thankful for the Yankees for giving me that opportunity, and I’m here because of what the Yankees were able to give to me. And I can’t be more thankful for what the Red Sox are doing for me, too, allowing me to debut.”

Fitts will almost certainly face his former organization at some point during this four-game series. He got the call last weekend because the Red Sox pushed Brayan Bello’s scheduled start from Sunday to Monday in order to give Tanner Houck additional rest. Houck is currently scheduled to start Friday night against the Yankees. As of 5 p.m. Thursday, that was still the plan.

“As of now, yes,” said manager Alex Cora. “He’s gonna get some treatment, all that, but he should be pitching tomorrow.”

However, if Houck isn’t ready, the Red Sox will again turn to Fitts. Otherwise, the rookie will get some work out of the bullpen. There’s a good chance he’ll face Alex Verdugo, the trade counterpart he’s never met.

“That’d be really cool,” Fitts said. “That’s what baseball is all about, the brotherhood and also rivalries. That’s exactly what this is, Yankees versus Red Sox, and that’s something that we love. The fans get into it and we get into it.”

For most of the long weekend, Fitts will be watching from the sidelines. Even that, he describes as “a pretty cool feeling.” But he’s particularly excited for Saturday, when Gerrit Cole is scheduled to start. Fitts’ new teammate, Rafael Devers, has eight career home runs off Cole, five more than any other pitcher he’s ever faced, and 16 career homers at Yankee Stadium, his most in any road ballpark.

“I’m pumped up. I’ve only ever seen it on TV, and I love watching it,” Fitts said. “But it gives me PTSD from some of the guys that I’ve faced in the past, where I just can’t get ‘em out.”

Sometimes, life takes a sharp turn in an unexpected direction. But Fitts is just thrilled to be on this ride.

“This team’s special. Just to have everybody all-in right now, it’s really cool,” he said. “I’m here to do whatever they need me to do. If they want me to be on the bench and just cheer the guys on, I’ll do it 110%. If they want me to start, I’ll do it. If I’m out of the ‘pen, I’ll do it. I don’t know if it’s the best idea, but I could – I hit in high school!

“I’m gonna welcome any adventure that I go on. Anything I can do for them, I’m willing to do. Even if that means being booed by the Yankees fans.”

Game (likely) over for Hendriks

Liam Hendriks’ rehab assignment has been on pause due to forearm soreness, and the pause could turn into a hard stop.

“He had the MRI, nothing structural,” Cora said.

While the Red Sox are waiting for the doctor who performed Hendriks’ August 2023 Tommy John surgery to review the test results before they make a final decision, Cora readily admitted, “probably we’re gonna shut him down.”

The Red Sox signed Hendriks to a two-year contract early in spring training knowing that he’d miss most, if not all of this season. However, with Chris Martin and Kenley Jansen both set for free agency this offseason, Hendriks could be crucial to the Boston bullpen next year.

“We can talk about it after we’re done this year,” Cora said. “But yeah, it’s good to have him. It’s important. … He wanted to be here. He had options. And of course, signing him for two years was a good move by the front office.”

More Red Sox injury updates

Less than an hour before first pitch on Thursday night, Rob Refsnyder was a late scratch from Thursday’s lineup due to “right wrist discomfort.”

Lucas Sims and Luis García have both thrown bullpens this week, but there’s no plan for either reliever to begin a rehab assignment yet.