August 26, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Minor Notes: The Password unlocks major league debut
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Password promoted to Boston
The Red Sox have recalled Jhostynxon Garcia (pictured) for his first look at the major league level. Garcia is ranked as the fifth prospect in the system and has been excellent in 66 games since a promotion to Worcester, slashing .303/.367/.564 with 17 home runs. Garcia can play all three outfield positions and has recently been taking reps at first base, appearing in one game there in Worcester. The Password made his major league debut on Friday night against the Yankees, and he is 0 for 4 with two walks through his first four games. In a heartwarming story, a few members of the Red Sox front office conspired to give his younger brother, Johanfran Garcia, a few days off from catching in Greenville to watch his brother make his major league debut in Yankee Stadium.
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Red Sox move Buehler to bullpen
Red Sox manager Alex Cora confirmed on Friday that the team is moving Walker Buehler to the bullpen. Buehler, who signed a one-year deal worth $21.05 million in the offseason, has struggled this season in Boston. Through 22 starts (and one relief appearance on Sunday), Buehler has pitched to a 5.45 ERA with 6.7 strikeouts and 4.4 walks per nine innings. The Red Sox have not announced how they plan to fill Buehler's rotation spot for the remainder of the season, opening up several intriguing possibilities.
In the first turn through Buehler's rotation spot on Monday night, the Red Sox used Brennan Bernardino as an opener, and Richard Fitts threw four innings of relief before exiting with right biceps tightness. Fitts was one of the frontrunners to fill Buehler's spot, but, with the severity of Fitts' injury currently unknown, the other leading candidates to join Boston's rotation are a pair of Worcester left-handers in Kyle Harrison and Payton Tolle. Since being acquired as part of the Rafael Devers trade, Harrison has a 3.69 ERA and has struck out 46 batters in 46 1/3 innings in Worcester. However, he has struggled with his command as he has worked to change his pitch mix in Triple-A, walking 4.9 batters per nine innings. Tolle, who has emerged as the top prospect in the Red Sox system after an electric debut season, has perhaps the highest upside among Boston's depth options. He has 133 strikeouts and a 3.04 ERA in 91 2/3 innings between Greenville, Portland, and Worcester this season, and he has not missed a beat since ascending to the highest level of the minor leagues. Craig Breslow recently hinted to The Boston Globe's Alex Speier that the Red Sox are seriously considering promoting Tolle to Boston for the stretch run, but it is not clear if he would pitch out of the rotation or bullpen.
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New podcast episode
In the most recent episode of the SoxProspects.com Podcast, Ian discussed the Garcia promotion and broke down Boston's rotation options down the stretch.
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Playoff chase updates
The DSL regular season ended last Tuesday, and the Red Sox Blue squad qualified for the 16-team DSL cup. The Blue team advanced through pool play with a pair of wins against DSL Giants Orange and DSL Miami. They opened the semifinals (best of 3) on Monday and dropped the first game of the series 9-1 against DSL Athletics. The Red Sox Blue will face elimination in Game 2 of their series at 11am today.
With two weeks left in the regular season, Greenville currently sits just outside of the playoff hunt in the South Atlantic League. Bowling Green won the South division in the first half and is locked into a postseason appearance. Hub City is currently leading the division in the second half, with Greenville and Bowling Green tied for second place, one game back. Several of Boston's 2025 draftees have joined Greenville for the playoff hunt in recent weeks, with 10th-rounder Maximus Martin making the jump last week after hitting .224/.345/.347 in 14 games in Salem.
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Additional transactions
- Following the signing of first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, the Red Sox designated Abraham Toro for assignment. Toro hit .239/.289/.371 in 77 games with Boston this season after signing a minor league contract over the winter. Toro cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Worcester. In addition to designating Toro, the Red Sox made a series of roster moves on Thursday as they placed Wilyer Abreu on the 10-day IL with a calf strain and optioned Isaiah Campbell. The Red Sox subsequently recalled Garcia, Fitts, and David Hamilton from Worcester.
- Justin Slaten began a rehab assignment in Worcester last week and has struck out five batters in three relief outings. He is likely to be activated on Tuesday or Wednesday.
- The Red Sox lost some of their 40-man roster depth, as they placed Vaughn Grissom and Cooper Criswell on the 7-day IL with right foot inflammation and right elbow inflammation, respectively.
- Ali Sanchez elected free agency after being outrighted.
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Where are they now?
The Rays promoted Brian Van Belle to the major leagues, and he made his MLB debut with 2 1/3 innings against the Cardinals on Sunday. He allowed one run on three hits, striking out two batters. Van Belle was originally signed by the Red Sox as an undrafted free agent following the shortened 2020 draft and worked his way up to a brief stint on Boston's active roster earlier this season, though he did not make an appearance. The Red Sox designated Van Belle for assignment in June and traded him to Cincinnati, who later included him as part of a package to acquire another former Red Sox pitcher in Zack Littell.
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Players of the Week August 18-24
Allan Castro, OF, Portland Sea Dogs
5 G, 19 AB, 8 H, 2 2B, 1 3B, 2 RBI, 5 R, 1 BB, 2 K, .421/.450/.632
Castro's fantastic week brought his season line up to .268/.349/.403, as the 22-year-old has been a bright spot in Portland's lineup after struggling in his first taste of Double-A last season. Castro ranks as the 24th prospect in the system and brings a patient plate approach with potential for above-average power. He is eligible for the Rule 5 draft in the offseason and will be a candidate to be added to the 40-man roster.
Yhoiker Fajardo, RHP, Salem Red Sox
2 G, 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K, 0.00 ERA
Fajardo's dominant start on Sunday was a standout performance in the Sox system over the past week. He struck out eight batters and allowed only two hits in six innings, and he added a scoreless inning in a relief appearance last Thursday. Fajardo has been one of the biggest risers in the system this season, jumping from 40th to 18th in the SoxProspects.com rankings as he has pitched to a 2.08 ERA and struck out 70 batters in 65 innings between Salem and the FCL.
Photo Credit: Jhostynxon Garcia by Kelly O'Connor