Garrett

Stubbs

Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly told reporters he expects Realmuto back in Wednesday’s lineup. He’ll receive some additional time off to rest and recover after leaving Sunday’s series finale against the Dodgers with a left wrist contusion. The 35-year-old backstop is day-to-day for the moment. It’ll be Garrett Stubbs behind the plate for the Phillies on Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park.

Adolis García is shifting over to center field with Felix Reyes and Garrett Stubbs in the corners. Crawford is presumably day-to-day heading into Sunday’s series finale. The 22-year-old rookie is hitting .269/.340/.376 with eight runs scored, zero homers, six RBI and two steals in 28 games.

Stubbs gets the call to join Philadelphia’s active roster with veteran backstop J.T. Realmuto hitting the shelf with back spasms. The 32-year-old will handle the backup catching duties in his absence.

Realmuto had missed two games but played Tuesday night against the Chicago Cubs; however, he felt that the injury was “too restrictive.” The veteran has played through foot and back injuries this year to slash .259/.344/.352 in 61 plate appearances. Rafael Marchán will likely split time with Garrett Stubbs until Realmuto returns.

Stubbs opted to remain with Philadelphia after passing through waivers following his removal from the club’s 40-man roster earlier this week. It’ll be Rafael Marchán handling the backup catching duties behind J.T. Realmuto moving forward.

The Phillies seemed to give some thought to carrying Stubbs as a third catcher/utilityman, but given his total lack of offensive ability, there was never any reason to do that. He’ll probably clear waivers.

It’s a split contract in which the 32-year-old backstop will earn $925,000 in the big leagues and $575,000 in the minors. Stubbs appeared in five games with the Phillies in 2025, going 0-for-1 with a pair of runs scored in his limited action. He’ll continue to function as quality catching depth for the Phillies.

Hard not to assume that Trea Turner is going on the IL with his hamstring strain. Unless someone else is hurt, too, Garrett Stubbs might also be out of a job because of Turner’s injury, as the Phillies probably figure having an extra infielder is more important than a third catcher now.

Rather than try Justin Crawford or give Johan Rojas or Otto Kemp another shot, the Phillies are just bringing up a third catcher. Stubbs, who served as J.T. Realmuto’s backup from 2022-24 before being replaced by Rafael Marchán this year, hit .265/.352/.402 for Lehigh Valley. The Phillies’ other opening today was filled by waiver claim Tim Mayza.

Stubbs will begin the 2025 season in the minors, which means Rafael Marchan will be the backup catcher to JT Realmuto to begin the campaign.