When J.T. Realmuto was eligible to come off of the Injured List, he was physically ready to return. The Phillies didn’t waste any time activating him, but rather than moving either Rafael Marchan or Garrett Stubbs off of the roster, the Phillies designated utility player Dylan Moore for assignment.
Marchan and Stubbs would have had to clear waivers and accept the assignment to Lehigh Valley had the Phillies attempted to move either of them off of the roster. While the same was true with Moore, the Phillies decided to go with three catchers on the roster. Stubbs worked at Lehigh Valley to tune up his defensive skills in left field and at third base and the Phillies are now more confident in his ability to play those positions when needed.
Prior to going on the IL, Realmuto had taken quite a beating both at the plate and behind the plate. He had fouled a pair of balls off of the same spot on his foot which kept him out of the lineup for a day. He also injured his back attempting to make a tag at the plate. It was that injury that actually put him on the IL.
In 18 games this season, Realmuto is hitting .250 (14-for-56) with the Phillies. Marchan has had a tough time at the plate this season and is hitting .085 (4-for-51) in 16 games that he has played with the team. Stubbs, who had been at Lehigh Valley until Realmuto’s IL stint, is batting .273 (3-for-11) since joining the team.
For Saturday’s afternoon game in Miami, Realmuto was behind the plate to catch starter Andrew Painter. Brandon Marsh missed the game after being hit by a pitch just above his elbow guard in Friday night’s game. Prior to the start of the game, center fielder Justin Crawford was scratched by a migraine headache. With a pair of outfielders unavailable, interim manager Don Mattingly moved right fielder Adolis Garcia to center, inserted Felix Reyes into right field, and then put Stubbs into the lineup in left field.
As for Moore, he was signed as a free agent during the offseason and was 0-for-12 in 15 games with the Phillies this season.
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