Dave Dombrowski gives projected timeline for J.T. Realmuto’s recovery

The Phillies announced Tuesday afternoon that catcher J.T. Realmuto had been placed on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to June 10) with right knee pain. The 33-year-old backstop will have right knee meniscectomy surgery Wednesday in Philadelphia.

Prior to Tuesday’s series-opening game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, Phillies president of baseball operations spoke to the collective media and gave more specifics about a potential timeline for the three-time All-Star.

“…It should be about a month that he’ll be out,” Dombrowski said. “And I’d rather it get done now, as he would, get it taken care of and then know that he’s coming back … rather than it stir up later in the year and then have to do it at an inopportune time right down the stretch.”

Realmuto missed three consecutive games in May, but avoided the injured list and was able to play through some discomfort in the knee over the last month. However, Dombrowski says that Realmuto developed “a little bit more persistent pain” in the knee.

But after Realmuto noted some increased discomfort prior to the Phillies heading to London, trainer Paul Buchheit recommended the catcher have his knee taken care of soon, and that’s what led to Tuesday’s announcement.

Realmuto started both games against the New York Mets in London over the weekend, but as Phillies Nation‘s Bailey Digh pointed out, Garrett Stubbs pinch ran for him in the ninth inning of Sunday’s game. That decision makes more sense with this context.

Stubbs has hit .221 with six home runs, 31 RBIs and a .639 OPS in 271 at-bats since joining the Phillies in 2022. While the 31-year-old has become a popular fixture in the organization, he hasn’t played a ton considering the incredible workload Realmuto typically takes on. Now, Stubbs will get his most extended opportunity as a Phillie.

Rafael Marchán was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to be the backup to Stubbs. He has two home runs and a .740 OPS in 60 career at-bats with the Phillies, but hasn’t appeared in an MLB game since 2021.

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