J.T. Realmuto Hits 10-Day IL with Back Spasms, Garrett Stubbs Returns To Majors
Aug 28, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (10) looks on after catching a runner stealing against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
The Phillies have placed starting catcher J.T. Realmuto on the 10-day injured list with back spasms. Realmuto was removed from Monday night’s game and missed Tuesday’s contest.
The injury comes at a bad time for the Phillies. The team has lost 7-straight, has not looked super competitive in those 7 games, and has dropped down to an 8-15 record on the season. Two major reasons involve Realmuto; he isn’t the problem.
One is the fact that the offense has arguably been the worst in the league this season, especially when it comes to the production from their right-handed bats. Realmuto going down hurts that much more since he has been not only a bright spot for this struggling lineup, batting .259 on the year with a .696 OPS, but maybe even the best righty for the Phillies so far this season. Now, even though those numbers don’t jump off the page, they are serviceable for a 35-year-old catcher. Losing Reamulto’s game-calling ability certainly does not help an already struggling rotation, as well.
The Phillies will split catching duty between Rafael Marchan and the recalled Garrett Stubbs. Marchan has struggled mightily this season, averaging a brutal .065 in 31 at-bats. He only has 2 hits in 9 games played.
Stubbs has done an outstanding job at the plate this season at Triple-A, slashing .289/.413/.632 with an OPS of 1.045. While those numbers are way outside the normal production level of Stubbs, it’s not unreasonable to think he can’t be somewhat serviceable at the plate, and with the issues the lineup has, serviceable is good enough. Stubbs also brings a history of good vibes that this Phillies team is sorely in need of at the moment.
The split-catching tandem gets its first piece of action with the Phillies looking to break their losing streak with a win over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night.
Christopher DeMaio
Christopher is a Delaware County Native and a graduate of Devon Preparatory School, class of 2025. He is currently attending University and is in his second semester. Chris, growing up playing since the age of 4, fell in love with his hometown Phillies and continues that love with listening to sports radio, reading articles, writing for Philly Sports Reports’ Phillies team, and, of course, watching the Phils.
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