J.T. Realmuto is again within the Phillies’ lineup, because the catcher has been formally activated from the group’s 10-day injured checklist. Proper-hander Yunior Marte was additionally referred to as up from Triple-A, and in corresponding strikes, catcher Rafael Marchan and right-hander Michael Mercado had been optioned to Triple-A.
After present process knee surgical procedure on June 12, the expectation was that Realmuto would wish roughly a month of restoration time, so he’ll return solely barely past that timeline (with the All-Star break additionally giving him a bit of additional time). The primary-place Phillies have simply saved on rolling even with Realmuto out, Trea Turner and Brandon Marsh additionally having prolonged IL stints, and Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber having minimal 10-day IL absences.
With Realmuto now again, Philadelphia is once more working with all of its first-choice place gamers, making issues even scarier for opposing pitchers. Realmuto’s contributions to this powerhouse lineup have been pretty modest, as he has hit .261/.309/.411 over 223 plate appearances.
Whereas nonetheless fairly good for a catcher and above-average (102 wRC+) total, Realmuto’s 26.9% strikeout fee is on tempo to be the very best of his profession, and his 5.4% stroll fee could be his lowest since 2016 when he was nonetheless with the Marlins. These charges are each effectively under the league common, although Realmuto continues to be within the 88th percentile of hard-hit ball fee and he’s persevering with to barrel the ball, with seven homers to this point this season. The protection has been a combined bag, with Realmuto throwing out 29% of baserunners however his blocking and framing work have been subpar. Even when Realmuto is slowing down a bit in his age-33 season, he’s nonetheless an total plus for the Phillies, and he additionally doesn’t even must be a prime contributor in such a loaded batting order.
Marchan noticed his first MLB motion since 2021 in Realmuto’s absence, and appeared spectacular in hitting .294/.345/.549 over 56 plate appearances. Regardless of these numbers, Marchan was seemingly optioned so he can proceed to get common taking part in time in Triple-A reasonably than get restricted motion as Realmuto’s backup, so Garrett Stubbs will proceed on the energetic roster within the backup catcher function.
