Red Sox Option Recently Promoted Rookie After One Week In Majors

The Boston Red Sox will send one rookie back to the minors on the same day they welcome another to the majors.

Payton Tolle will make his MLB debut for Boston on a Friday night in a marquee showdown against Pittsburgh Pirates phenom Paul Skenes. However, another neophyte won’t stay to see the matchup at Fenway Park.

The Red Sox optioned Jhostynxon Garcia back to Triple-A Worcester, per MassLive’s Christopher Smith. They’re calling up infielder Nick Sogard, who has spent the last two months with the WooSox.

Boston demoted Garcia seven days after his big league debut. The 22-year-old outfielder went 1-for-9 with two walks and a strikeout in five games, starting three times against left-handed pitchers.

“The Password” unlocked a ticket to Boston by batting .289/.363/.512 with the WooSox, going deep 20 times in 99 games. The Red Sox brought up MLB.com’s No. 76 prospect after sending Wilyer Abreu to the injured list with a calf injury.

Abreu remains sidelined, but Rob Refsnyder returned from the IL earlier this week. The platoon specialist promptly hit a home run off left-hander pitcher Cade Povich in Thursday’s 3-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles.

Garcia still started on Thursday, but Jarren Duran received a day off while Ceddanne Rafaela manned second base. The rookie might have struggled to maintain consistent playing time if he stayed in the majors.

The Red Sox replaced Garcia with Sogard, who registered a .388 on-base percentage and 15 stolen bases in Triple-A. The 27-year-old batted .254/.323/.339 in 65 plate appearances with the Red Sox earlier this season and has yet to hit a home run in 48 career MLB games.

Sogard will start at second base — moving Rafaela back to center field — and bat seventh against Skenes and the Pirates on Friday night. Boston made another significant move before Friday’s game, releasing Walker Buehler to clear a roster spot for Tolle.