J.T. Realmuto was hit by a pitch on Sunday. (Photo by Rick Ulreich/Icon Sportswire)
LOS ANGELES — Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto exited the finale of a three-game series against Los Angeles early after being hit with a pitch. He suffered a bruised left wrist in a 9-1 blowout loss on Sunday at Dodger Stadium, the team said; X-rays were negative.
“He’s going to be OK,” interim manager Don Mattingly said postgame. “A little, obviously, sore. He couldn’t really squeeze. He wasn’t going to be able to swing and actually having a little trouble catching, too. So sore enough to get him out of there.”
Facing Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the top of the third, Realmuto took a 97 mph fastball to the left wrist. He shook out his hand and stayed in the game for the time being. He caught the bottom of the inning, but backup Rafael Marchán walked to the on-deck circle in place of Realmuto in the fourth. The spot didn’t come up, so Marchán officially entered for Realmuto as a defensive replacement the next half-inning.
Realmuto is batting .220 with a .595 OPS in 39 games after re-signing with Philadelphia on a three-year, $45 million deal. He’s been one of the most durable and reliable backstops in the big leagues since joining the Phillies in 2019, but he’s struggled to hit in his age-35 season. He missed 10 days with back spasms earlier in the year, and Mattingly has tried to sprinkle in a few more days off his feet for Realmuto.
While getting hit by Yamamoto was more of a fluke thing, it was an unfortunate moment in what’s been a down season for Realmuto. He was able to avoid major injury, although it might depend on whether or not the soreness subsides quickly to determine if he’ll be able to play in Philadelphia’s next game on Tuesday. The Phillies’ options behind him are not particularly promising, even with two other catchers on the roster.
Marchán picked up his sixth hit of the year on Sunday, but he’s still batting .095 in 2026. Third catcher/pinch-runner/utility man Garrett Stubbs is hitting .235 with no extra-base hits in 21 plate appearances. Fortunately for the Phillies, Realmuto should not be out too long.
