The Philadelphia Phillies received an early injury scare when All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto left Tuesday’s game against the San Francisco Giants after being struck on the right foot by a foul ball in the first inning.
Initial X-rays showed no fracture, but manager Rob Thomson said the team will continue to monitor Realmuto’s condition over the next few days, leaving his immediate availability unclear. The injury occurred when Rafael Devers fouled a pitch directly off Realmuto’s foot. The team later described the issue as a bruise.
With Realmuto sidelined, backup catcher Rafael Marchán is expected to step in, while an upcoming off-day could provide additional recovery time. Thomson noted that more information would be available after further evaluation.
If Realmuto is forced to miss extended time, Garrett Stubbs currently with Triple-A would likely be called up. Stubbs previously served as Realmuto’s primary backup before being removed from the 40-man roster and reassigned, though he remains within the organization.
Despite the scare, Realmuto has been one of baseball’s most durable catchers in recent years, leading the position in games and innings since 2019, ahead of players like Will Smith. Losing him for any length of time would be a significant blow to a Phillies team built around strong pitching.
The injury comes shortly after Realmuto re-signed with Philadelphia on a three-year deal this offseason, following a busy free agency period that included moves like Bo Bichette joining the New York Mets. While his new contract represents a pay cut from his previous deal, Realmuto remains a central figure for the Phillies both defensively and as a team leader.
For now, the team is hopeful that the injury is minor and that further tests will confirm he can avoid a stint on the injured list.
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