Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto and third baseman Alec Bohm will not travel to Toronto for the team’s upcoming series as part of a group of players who are not vaccinated against COVID-19. Unvaccinated individuals are not permitted to enter Canada.
The two will be placed on the restricted list along with starting pitchers Aaron Nola and Kyle Gibson, according to a Monday afternoon report from Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia. Unvaccinated players do not receive pay or service time while on the restricted list
The Phillies will be able to replace Realmuto and Bohm for the two-game set on Tuesday and Wednesday as well as Gibson for the second game, as noted by The Athletic‘s Matt Gelb. Nola’s spot cannot be filled for the series.
For a Phillies lineup already missing two key regulars in Jean Segura and Bryce Harper, the batting order could look fairly depleted without its starting catcher and third baseman in addition, if only for two days. The team can add players from the minor leagues in their place without risk of losing them to waivers after the series. Catcher Rafael Marchan will be one call-up, per Gelb. Another player will also be added for Tuesday.
Philadelphia’s ace Zack Wheeler is in line to start against the Blue Jays on Wednesday, while Tuesday’s starter is still to be determined.