ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 11: Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Nick Castellanos (8) looks on from the dugout during Game 1 of the NLDS between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadephia Phillies on October 11, 2022 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire)
J.T. Realmuto will undergo surgery on Wednesday. (David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire)
On Tuesday afternoon, the Phillies announced that catcher J.T. Realmuto has been placed on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to June 10) due to right knee pain. The 33-year-old will have right knee meniscectomy surgery in Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Before the series opener against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski provided a projected timeline for the three-time All-Star’s recovery.
“It should be about a month that he’ll be out,” Dombrowski said. “I’d rather it get done now, as he would, to take care of it and ensure he’s back rather than risk it flaring up later in the season during a crucial time.”
Realmuto missed three consecutive games in May but avoided the injured list, managing to play through some knee discomfort for the past month. However, Dombrowski noted that Realmuto developed “a little bit more persistent pain” in the knee.
When Realmuto reported increased discomfort before the Phillies’ trip to London, trainer Paul Buchheit advised prompt surgery, leading to Tuesday’s announcement.
Realmuto started both games against the New York Mets in London over the weekend, but Garrett Stubbs pinch ran for him in the ninth inning of Sunday’s game, which now makes more sense given the context.
Since joining the Phillies in 2022, Stubbs has hit .221 with six home runs, 31 RBIs, and a .639 OPS in 271 at-bats. Despite being a popular member of the team, he hasn’t played much due to Realmuto’s heavy workload. Now, Stubbs will have his most extended opportunity as a Phillie.
Rafael Marchán has been recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to back up Stubbs. He has two home runs and a .740 OPS in 60 career at-bats with the Phillies but hasn’t appeared in an MLB game since 2021.
