Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, who is recovering from a wrist injury, will play four games with the Pawtucket Red Sox in a rehab stint that has generated huge ticket demands.

The Providence Journal / Bob Breidenbach

PAWTUCKET — If you were fortunate enough to score PawSox tickets for any of the next four games at McCoy Stadium, beginning tonight, consider yourself very lucky.

Thanks to Red Sox slugger David Ortiz’s rehab stint, the PawSox have witnessed a phenomenon like never before. The storied ballpark has hosted baseball’s Longest Game. It has hosted the Triple-A All-Star Game. It has hosted numerous rehab stints of other major-league stars in the past.

Nothing can compare to this.

After The Journal first broke the story Saturday, the box office at McCoy Stadium was flooded with calls.

“Our phones were out of control,” said PawSox vice president of public relations Bill Wanless. “As soon as the news began to filter out, the buzz grew and the momentum kept building. We’ve had some big ones, but this one ranks up there as the biggest.”

The first three games of this four-game set against Toledo sold out in one business day.

Originally, Big Papi, who is on Boston’s disabled list with a wrist injury, was scheduled to play only three games (tonight, tomorrow and Saturday) in Pawtucket. Now, he has asked the Red Sox medical staff if he can play Sunday, too. There are only a limited number of general-admission seats remaining for Sunday’s game. But, because of his injury, Ortiz does reserve the right not to play Sunday.

The PawSox urge fans to get to McCoy as early as possible. Gates open two hours before every game and the club suggests fans arrive at least one hour before game time to help ensure seating. Because of the overwhelming ticket sales for this four-game home stand, fans are also urged to claim the tickets they ordered, either by phone or the Internet, at the box office as early as possible in order to expedite the pickup process. The box office opens today at 9 a.m.

Fans holding standing-room-only tickets will be allowed to enter McCoy 15 minutes after the game begins to allow those fans with box seats and general-admission tickets to find their seats.

Current Red Sox players, including Manny Ramirez, Curt Schilling and Jason Varitek, along with former Red Sox players Trot Nixon and Nomar Garciaparra are just some of the major-leagues who have made rehab appearances for the PawSox.

“We’re looking forward to the response he gets from our fans,” said Wanless of Boston’s DH. “He’ll get a great ovation. He’s had a huge impact and we are so excited for our fans to be able to see Ortiz up close and personal. He’s a legendary baseball player who fans can relate to.”

During the recent All-Star break, PawSox players were working out at McCoy, and even they were fired up about Ortiz’s arrival.

Even the media is turning out in droves. The PawSox are expecting almost a dozen TV stations, a variety of newspapers and Web sites from all over New England to be on hand to cover tonight’s game. WEEI radio’s The Big Show will broadcast from McCoy from 2-6 p.m. today. Cox Sports will televise the first three games of the home stand, and NESN will broadcast Sunday’s game.

Ortiz’s presence Sunday will only add to an already special day at McCoy Stadium.

PawSox owner Ben Mondor, former manager Joe Morgan and former outfielder Jim Rice will be inducted into the International League Hall of Fame in a special pregame ceremony.

“Should be a fun four games,” Wanless said.

jmcdonal@projo.com