The Phillies have been an offensive juggernaut this season. They'll be without one of their key pieces for an extended period.
J.T. Realmuto is heading to the injured list as he prepares to undergo knee surgery, according to a team release.
Realmuto has remained one of baseball's best catchers in 2024, posting a .261/.309/.411 slash line with seven home runs. He has accumulated 1.2 bWAR (Baseball Reference Wins Above Replacement).
The injury to Philadelphia's star catcher is the latest blow to the top team in the national league. Trea Turner has been out since May 3 with a hamstring injury, though he is nearing his return. Brandon Marsh suffered a hamstring strain and last played on June 2 against the Cardinals.
Here's the latest on his injury.
J.T. Realmuto injury update
The Phillies announced Realmuto was placed on the injured list with right knee pain, noting he will undergo a right knee meniscectomy surgery on Wednesday.
The surgery is not as major as other procedures, but it still will likely keep him out of the lineup for some time. A meniscectomy can take four to six weeks for a return to work or sports, according to Kaiser Permanente, with full motion being regained within the first two weeks.
Phillies catcher depth chart
- Garrett Stubbs
- Rafael Marchan
Realmuto's injury means Garrett Stubbs will fill in as the starting catcher. With Realmuto placed on the injured list, Rafael Marchan was promoted from Triple-A to be the backup.
Stubbs has been the backup catcher in Philadelphia for the past three seasons. He owns a career slash line of .213/.289/.316 with six home runs in 157 games. Stubbs spent the first three seasons of his career with the Astros, though he did not see a consistent role until he was traded to the Phillies in 2021. This season, he has slashed .173/.271/.192 with no homers and a 0.3 bWAR.
Marchan has not been in the majors since 2021, when he posted a .231/.286/.346 slash with a home run in 20 games. Between Class-A and Triple-A in 2024, Marchan has a line of .233/.382/.395 with two homers in 13 games (55 plate appearances).
