​CHICAGO — The Worcester Red Sox had already had a memorable day at Polar Park in their Wednesday doubleheader when Brett Harris launched a grand slam, adding to an upbeat mood around the team. But the day took an even bigger turn late in the evening: Harris received word from Worcester interim manager Iggy Suarez that he would be called up by the Boston Red Sox, with instructions to catch the first flight out to Chicago on Thursday morning.
When Harris stepped onto the field at Rate Field on Thursday, he found his name listed in the lineup, starting at first base in the series finale against the White Sox. Willson Contreras sat out the game due to lingering soreness in his left foot after being struck by a foul ball the night before. Harris was added to the roster to replace Ranger Suarez, who was placed on the injured list with a groin issue, effective retroactively to July 6.
“It’s good to be here,” Harris said, reflecting on a week that had already turned into a whirlwind after the Red Sox acquired him from the Athletics. “It kind of happened pretty quickly.”
Harris admitted that the news of the trade last week had still felt fresh, especially after he had been designated for assignment by Oakland. He described the move to Boston as a sign that the organization values him and that he wanted to seize the opportunity.
“An organization like the Red Sox is a world-class organization,” he said. “Any team that makes you feel wanted, you want to be here. It’s a great opportunity for me. I’m excited to be here. I was just starting to get to know the guys at Triple-A, and now I have to restart the process here.”
Throughout his career, Harris has primarily worked at first and third base, with some experience at second and even a touch at shortstop when needed. “Wherever they write me in, I’ll be ready to go,” he said. “You just have to be ready to go at all times.”
interim manager Chad Tracy commented on Harris’s versatility and power, noting, “He can play around a few spots and he’s a right-handed bat that’s got some thump. He’s able to play first base, so he gives us another option over there. We’ll get him in there today and see what we’ve got.”
As Harris moves into a higher-profile stage with Boston, the Red Sox will be evaluating how his bat and positional flexibility can contribute during a stretch run that demands depth and adaptability. Harris’s immediate impact is already tangible, with the timing of the call-up aligning with a moment of momentum built by the Worcester roster and the potential for him to help the major league club in the near future.