Realmuto Rests: Phillies Catcher Sits Out Saturday Matchup

In a move that may have caught some fantasy baseball owners off guard, the Philadelphia Phillies opted to rest their starting catcher J.T. Realmuto for Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The 31-year-old Realmuto has been one of the most durable catchers in Major League Baseball over the last few seasons. However, he exited Friday night’s contest early, leading to speculation that he may have been dealing with a minor injury or just needed a routine day off.

With Realmuto out of the lineup, backup catcher Garrett Stubbs drew the start behind the plate and batted seventh as the Phillies look to stay in the thick of the National League playoff race down the stretch.

Realmuto’s Consistent Production While Realmuto’s absence was likely just a routine maintenance day, it’s still a potential cause for concern given his importance to the Phillies’ lineup. The veteran backstop has been one of the team’s most consistent hitters all season long, posting a .276 batting average to go along with 14 home runs and 57 RBIs through 112 games played.

His offensive production has been a key part of Philadelphia’s success, with the team currently holding on to one of the National League’s three wild card spots. Along with being a middle-of-the-order threat, Realmuto has also provided stellar defense and game management behind the plate.

The two-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner is arguably the top all-around catcher in baseball. His ability to produce at a high level on both sides of the ball is a big reason why the Phillies signed him to a 5-year, $115.5 million contract extension in 2021.

Stubbs’ Opportunity to Impress With Realmuto getting a breather, Saturday’s game presented an opportunity for Garrett Stubbs to make an impression. The 29-year-old has played sparingly as Realmuto’s backup, collecting just 58 at-bats over 31 games this season.

However, Stubbs does provide some offensive upside and positional versatility when called upon. He’s posted a respectable .259/.349/.370 slash line in limited action while also making spot starts at first base and in the outfield corners.

If Realmuto is forced to miss any additional time, Stubbs could get an extended look as the Phillies’ primary catcher down the stretch. The team has been rumored to be on the lookout for catching depth ahead of the trade deadline as well.

While Realmuto’s day off was likely precautionary, his status is certainly one to monitor for the playoff-contending Phillies. They’ll need their star catcher healthy and producing at a high level as the regular season winds down.