The Philadelphia Phillies got good news on backup catcher Garrett Stubbs, who revealed Thursday that he is day-to-day with a “mild right knee strain,” according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.
While there’s no reason to think Stubbs will be in the lineup on Opening Day over J.T. Realmuto, Stubbs went on to say that he “expects to be ready” for the start of the season.
It’s encouraging news for the Phillies after Stubbs had to withdraw from the World Baseball Classic with knee soreness, triggering an MRI Wednesday.
Stubbs had been representing Israel, and his two-run ground rule double last Sunday helped them to a 3-1 win over Nicaragua:
While Stubbs didn’t see any action in the team’s run to the World Series a season ago, he became an important clubhouse presence in his first season with the Phillies. And for as difficult as it is to take Realmuto out of the lineup, Stubbs was excellent when called upon during the regular season in 2022, slashing .264/.350/.462 with an .812 OPS in 46 games.