SEATTLE -- John Hicks said he was excited and relieved when he blasted a 408-foot home run in the Rangers¡¯ 8-3 win over the A¡¯s on Thursday night. It was his first Major League home run -- part of his 2-for-4 night at the plate -- since Sept. 28, 2019, when he was with the Tigers.

The catcher was called up from Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday after starting catcher Jose Trevino landed on the 10-day injured list with a right forearm contusion. Hicks was slashing .275/.352/.440 with the Express.

Hicks said he was heading to Oakland anyway to be part of the Rangers¡¯ taxi squad on the road trip, but he was still overwhelmed to be activated when he was.

¡°It was a whirlwind of emotions,¡± Hicks said. ¡°I¡¯m just super excited to be a part of this team and be here. It¡¯s obviously a great feeling to contribute to a win in my first game.¡±

Hicks, like many Major and Minor Leaguers, was heavily affected by the coronavirus pandemic and how it halted the 2020 season. He signed a Minor League deal with Arizona prior to the start of last season and felt like he had a good shot at making the big league squad out of camp.

Then the shutdown happened and Summer Camp didn¡¯t go as well as he expected, so Hicks spent 2020 at the D-backs' alternate training site.

¡°That was fun,¡± Hicks said. ¡°We were playing with a lot of young guys and I feel like that really rubbed off on me, trying to play more of a mentor role. Being close to 30 years old, I was playing with a bunch of guys that are 20 and 21 and trying to help those guys come along.

¡°Being back in Triple-A with a lot of younger prospects this year, I think last year really helped me learn how to take over that mentor role. So yeah, last year was a very weird year, but I think it had its ups and downs for everyone. It's not really a pity party for anyone, everybody kind of had their struggles.¡±

Rangers manager Chris Woodward said it was a no-brainer to call up Hicks when the situation called for it, based on his stats, hard work and leadership capabilities.

Woodward emphasized that Hicks brings a lot to the table and provides value as a leader, behind the plate and in the dugout.

¡°He just brings a great energy, man, like everywhere he goes,¡± Woodward said. ¡°I had him as a younger player and he was the same. He's just a pro. He handles himself the right way, works hard, plays really hard and he's super talented. We love the human being and obviously, he's a talented player. We're lucky that with Jose going down, we get to bring up a quality player and individual like John.¡±

Woodward and Hicks also have a connection prior with the Rangers. Woodward served in various roles with the Mariners, from Minor League infield coordinator to the big league first-base coach, from 2012-15. Hicks was selected by the Mariners in the fourth round of the 2011 MLB Draft.

Hicks said it definitely helped having a relationship with Woodward when he was looking to sign a Minor League deal in the offseason.

Hicks also returned to the big leagues just in time to head to Seattle as the Rangers gear up for a four-game series with the Mariners during the Fourth of July weekend.

¡°I believe Detroit comes to town when we get back [to Texas],¡± Hicks said. ¡°That's the two teams that I played for in the big leagues with. But whether we're here, in Oakland, anywhere, it doesn't matter. I'm excited to be in the big leagues and be on this team.¡±