The Philadelphia Phillies activated J.T. Realmuto from the 10-day injured list on May 2, with interim manager Don Mattingly confirming that Garrett Stubbs will remain on the roster as the club moves forward with three catchers.
This decision comes as the Phillies look to increase their flexibility during games and maintain depth at catcher following Realmuto’s return from back spasms. To make room for Realmuto, Dylan Moore was designated for assignment. The current catching group now includes Realmuto, Stubbs, and Rafael Marchán.
Mattingly said before Saturday’s game against the Marlins, “I like the thought of three catchers. It allows a little bit more freedom with pinch-hitting [and] running. Stubby is not a traditional catcher that can’t do anything else. He can play second, he can play third. He can play left. He runs. He can steal a bag. He’s a good baserunner, good bunter.” Mattingly added that having an extra catcher is important given recent injuries: “That role is not a huge role, but the thought of having the third catcher with where J.T. has been — we’re hoping everything goes perfect, but you never know.”
Stubbs started in left field after Justin Crawford was scratched due to a migraine and Brandon Marsh was unavailable because of an elbow injury suffered Friday night. “I kind of felt like, I wouldn’t call it rock bottom, but that feeling of disappointment and also just getting sent out from the roster felt a lot different than last year when I got sent to Triple-A,” Stubbs said about his earlier stint in Triple-A this season.
Reflecting on his return to the major league clubhouse and its significance after being designated for assignment earlier this year, Stubbs said: “Being able to be in the locker room with the guys that have come from… building real expectations for fans and for the front office and for our coaches and for ourselves… Getting to be a part of that again is why I do it.” On learning he would stay on the roster after Realmuto’s activation he added: “I took a deep breath when I heard from Don that I was going to be on the roster.”
The Phillies are one of Major League Baseball’s charter National League members according to their official website. The team represents Philadelphia both regionally and nationally through games and community outreach as reported by their official website. Home games have been played at Citizens Bank Park since 2004 according to their official site, where operations are overseen by executives including chief executive officer and general manager according to team information.
The franchise has achieved World Series victories in both 1980 and 2008 according to its official history.
