The Phillies are placing catcher J.T. Realmuto on the 10-day injured list due to a lower back injury, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Garrett Stubbs will take his place on the roster. A corresponding move will be needed to make room for Stubbs.
Realmuto felt tightness in his back during Saturday’s game and missed the following two games. He returned on Tuesday but still struggled with discomfort. The team has decided it’s best for him to rest, even if it poses challenges for the struggling Phillies.
With an 8-15 record, the Phillies are having a tough start to the season. Their offense is particularly weak, having scored only 80 runs—one of the lowest in Major League Baseball. Losing Realmuto, who has been performing at league average with a .259 batting average, won’t help their situation. Although that performance is modest, it’s valuable given that other hitters are faltering.
For now, Rafael Marchán and Stubbs will take on catching duties. Marchán debuted in 2020 but hasn’t played much due to Realmuto’s presence. His stats show just a .223 average over 271 career plate appearances. This year, he’s struggled even more, with a .065 average.
Stubbs will also step in after being removed from the roster earlier in the season. He excelled in Triple-A, boasting a .289 average in a limited number of games, but his major league career shows just a .215 average over 521 plate appearances.
Both catchers will have to do their best to fill the gap left by Realmuto. Ideally, he’ll return quickly, but both players will likely face roster changes once he’s back.
As experts emphasize, resting players can be vital for their long-term health, especially at this early stage of the season. With injuries often derailing a team’s performance, it’s crucial for teams like the Phillies to find the right balance between playing their best and allowing players to recover.
For more insights on player injuries and their impact on team performance, you can check out ESPN’s Sports Injury Report.
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