The Philadelphia Phillies placed J.T. Realmuto on the IL to accommodate a right knee meniscectomy surgery. Their backup catchers pale in comparison to a two-time Gold Glover and three-time Silver Slugger.
Can the Phillies survive a major blow in the area with arguably less depth than any other position on the roster?
| Career Statistics | MLB Games Played | Home Runs | Batting Average | OPS |
| J.T. Realmuto | 1191 | 161 | .272 | .782 |
| Garrett Stubbs | 160 | 6 | .213 | .604 |
| Rafael Marchan | 24 | 2 | .250 | .695 |
Phillies vs. New York Mets
- Saturday 6/8: Win 7-2
- Sunday 6/9: Loss 6-5
Phillies vs. Boston Red Sox
- Tuesday 6/11: Win 4-1
- Wednesday 6/12: Loss 8-6
- Thursday 6/13: Loss 9-3
Looking Ahead
The Phillies will travel to face the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards this weekend. The three-game set will wrap up with a Sunday matchup on Father’s Day.
They’ll play their first game at Citizens Bank Park in over two weeks on Monday, June 17 against the San Diego Padres.
- Friday 6/14 at 7:05pm: Ranger Suarez (10-1, 1.81 ERA) vs. Kyle Bradish (2-0, 2.62 ERA)
- Saturday 6/15 at 4:05pm: Taijuan Walker (3-1, 5.40 ERA) vs. Grayson Rodriguez (7-2, 3.27 ERA)
- Sunday 6/16 at 1:35pm: Zack Wheeler (8-3, 2.16 ERA) vs. Corbin Burnes (7-2, 2.08 ERA)
All stats as of the beginning of play on June 14
J.T. Realmuto Injury Shifts Focus To Backup Catchers
The Phillies took a major blow when Realmuto hit the IL. However, Dave Dombrowski framed it as a proactive decision.
“It should be about a month that he’ll be out, and I’d rather it (the surgery) get done now… and then know that he’s coming back rather than it stir up later in the year and then have to do it at an inopportune time down the stretch.” -Dave Dombrowski
Rob Thomson has helped the Phillies avoid complacency while keeping their long-term goals ahead of their short-term goals. Realmuto’s absence immediately weakens the lineup offensively and defensively.
However, the organization will ultimately benefit from the short-term loss if Realmuto returns healthy and regains form by October.
The Phillies will depend on Garrett Stubbs and Rafael Marchan to fill the void. Stubbs provides a unique skill set as a backup catcher, but he isn’t an everyday solution. Dombrowski spoke confidently about Marchan’s ability behind the plate.
“In most situations, from a defensive perspective, I feel great about the catching. I mean, Marchan is an outstanding defensive catcher. He can really throw… He handles the pitching staff very well (in the minor leagues). They like throwing to him. He studies the opposing hitters.” -Dave Dombrowski
Thomson could potentially platoon the left-handed Stubbs and the switch-hitting Marchan until Realmuto returns.
The veteran’s estimated recovery time lands right around the return from the All-Star Break in Pittsburgh on July 19.
Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Progress For Trea Turner & Brandon Marsh
The Phillies could get reinforcements elsewhere. Trea Turner hasn’t played since suffering a hamstring injury on the basepaths on May 3.
Todd Zolecki spoke on Kincade & Salciunas about how Turner had moved past the stiffness he experienced during his rehab. He could return during the weekend series against the Orioles.
The former batting champion hit .343 with an .852 OPS in 33 games before the stint on the IL. He also stole 10 bases, including home plate on the same play he suffered the injury.
Edmundo Sosa excelled offensively after Turner went down. His season OPS even surpassed 1.000 in late May. However, he’s cooled off with a .214 average in eight games in June.
Sosa adds good depth to the roster, and Rob Thomson even acknowledged the possibility of trying his utility man in a corner outfield position this season. Turner will hit in the two-hole and return to his starting position at shortstop.
Brandon Marsh began his minor league rehab in AA Reading on Thursday night. Tom McCarthy shared on the team broadcast that Marsh did the signature Phillies shimmy after an early base hit.
Thomson spoke optimistically about Marsh returning during the weekend series in Baltimore. The charismatic outfielder injured his hamstring on Sunday Night Baseball on June 2. He hit .265 with a .770 OPS in 52 games before the injury.
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
Camden Yards Invasion
National broadcasts on Fox and ESPN repeatedly pointed out a Philadelphia dominant crowd during the MLB London Series. Get ready for another takeover.
The Phillies last visited Camden Yards in July 2018. Plenty of Philadelphia fans made the trip to see a rematch of the 1983 World Series.
The excitement within the fan base has reached World Series hysteria that didn’t exist six years ago. Expect to see flocks of Phillies fans driving on I-95 southbound with the chance to experience one of the best ballparks in the major leagues.
The Phillies are off to the best start in franchise history. The Orioles have hung just behind the New York Yankees for the best record in the American League behind great efforts from Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, and Anthony Santander.
The stage is set for a great weekend at Camden Yards, and red caps will dominate the Baltimore Inner Harbor.
Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images
Phillies Spotlight Player: Jose Alvarado
Jose Alvarado shouldered some intense criticism after blowing a save against the Mets in the finale of the London series. The showcase event might’ve heightened some fan reaction.
He certainly had a wild afternoon overseas, but it won’t damage Rob Thomson’s trust in him.
The Phillies haven’t used one designated closer in 2024. They’ve leaned on Alvarado as their most trusted left-handed reliever, however, and Jeff Hoffman as their most trusted righty.
Alvarado has saved 12 games in 14 opportunities. While his strikeout rates have dropped, he’s consistently handled opposing hitters without serious command issues.
The Hefty Lefty recovered with a shutdown appearance at Fenway Park on Tuesday. He raised the velocity on his sinker into triple digits and mixed in his cutter effectively late in counts.
He struck out Rafael Devers to put a bow on his 12th save of the season and put the international hiccup behind him.
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
