The Philadelphia Phillies are adjusting to playing without their starting catcher, J.T. Realmuto, who is recovering from knee surgery to repair meniscus damage in his right knee. Realmuto is expected to undergo approximately four weeks of rest and rehabilitation before returning to game action, delaying his return to the field in a Phillies uniform.
In Realmuto’s absence, manager Rob Thomson is managing with a platoon of Garrett Stubbs, known for his defensive abilities but light hitting, and Rafael Marchán, recently recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. While Stubbs and Marchán are doing their best to support the Phillies’ pitching staff, the team has struggled somewhat, going 4-5 in their last nine games without Realmuto. Their performance behind the plate has been described as a work-in-progress.
Replacing Realmuto, who is known for both his offensive and defensive skills, was always going to be challenging. The Phillies need Stubbs and Marchán to improve if they are to maintain their lead over the Atlanta Braves in the coming weeks.
On a positive note, Realmuto provided an update on his recovery to MLB.com’s Paul Casella. He expressed optimism about returning to action, aiming for some game time before the All-Star break. The best-case scenario sees him potentially playing in the Phillies’ final five games before the break, while the worst-case scenario targets his return for the first game after the break on July 19, five weeks and two days after his surgery.
While the initial target of four weeks offers hope for Realmuto’s return before the All-Star break, caution remains paramount to avoid any setbacks. Realmuto is focused on a safe and effective recovery to ensure his long-term availability for the Phillies.
