J.T. Realmuto fractures right thumb, says he's 'not worried'

technical details

is_video => true
is_chrome_page => null
article_body => "Two days into spring training, the Phillies already have their first injury \u2014 and it's to a very important player.<\/p>\r\n\r\nCatcher J.T. Realmuto has a small fracture at the base of his right thumb, manager Joe Girardi said on Thursday. Realmuto will be placed in a cast on Friday and will be immobilized for two weeks at which time he'll be evaluated by medical personnel.<\/p>\r\n\r\nSpeaking with reporters, Realmuto expressed confidence that he would be ready to open the season on April 1, but he also said he won't rush if it's deemed that he needs more time. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\"I'm not worried,\" he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\nRealmuto suffered the injury catching a bullpen session thrown by newcomer Jose Alvarado during a pre-camp workout last week. A breaking ball bounced in the dirt and hit Realmuto on the right thumb. For several days, Realmuto thought he had suffered a bone bruise. He had trouble throwing the baseball on Wednesday and further evaluation revealed the fracture.<\/p>\r\n\r\nThe Phillies are thin at catcher with just Realmuto, Andrew Knapp and Rafael Marchan on the 40-man roster. Earlier this week, the Phillies signed veteran Jeff Mathis, a strong defender, to a minor-league deal. The signing was in the works before Realmuto's injury, according to Girardi. Nonetheless, Mathis could be in play for a roster spot if Realmuto is not ready for opening day.<\/p>\r\n\r\nCheck back for more details on Realmuto's injury.<\/p>\r\n\r\nSubscribe to the Phillies Talk podcast<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/id1214369445?mt=2\">Apple Podcasts<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/music\/listen?authuser&u=0#\/ps\/Ib3ow2unfxugkqngfv5yvydpzru\">Google Play<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/6hUU2XdNVyIhqIrsjxnqLd\">Spotify<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stitcher.com\/s?fid=136922&refid=stpr\">Stitcher<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/art19.com\/shows\/at-the-yard\">Art19<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCXenWaHGZz4Ey4BObUUIyZQ\">Watch on YouTube<\/a><\/p>\r\n"
created => 1613677887
changed => 1613687715
status => true
hero_image_credit => "USA Today Images"
tags => null
field_bean_single_col => null
section => null
orig_image => {"alt":"","title":"","width":"1280","height":"720","uri":"public:\/\/article\/hero\/Realmuto_J_USATSI_14924826.jpg","timestamp":1613677642}
image => {"alt":"","title":"","width":"1280","height":"720","uri":"public:\/\/archive\/assets_article\/philadelphia\/2021\/02\/18\/Realmuto_J_USATSI_14924826.jpg","timestamp":1613677642}
video_url => "https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/video\/realmuto-has-fractured-thumb-confident-hell-be-ready-opening-day"
is_mediaid => true
mediaid => "RsWpA8heD5WV"
video_autoplay => null
video_automute => null
mpx_account_id => "BxmELC"
player_url => "https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/vplayer\/p\/BxmELC\/philly_main\/select\/media\/RsWpA8heD5WV?form=html&autoPlay=true"
chrome_data => null
description => "Two days into spring training, the Phillies already have their first injury \u2014\u00a0and it's to a very important player. By Jim Salisbury"
league => "MLB"
league_id => "98"
sport => "Baseball"
sport_id => "5"
image_credit => "USA Today Images"
no_promo => false
no_trending_in_body => false
no_recirc => false
no_trend => false
short_title => "2 days into camp and Phillies have already suffered a key injury"
sponsorship_type => "presented_by"
type => "article"
alias => "\/philadelphia\/phillies\/jt-realmuto-fractures-right-thumb-says-hes-not-worried"
title => "J.T. Realmuto fractures right thumb, says he's 'not worried'"
nid => "327531"
author_0 => "Jim Salisbury"
author_0_id => "15841"
mps => {"author_0":"Jim Salisbury"}
region => "philadelphia"
region_id => "3"
sponsor => null
sponsor_id => null
team_id => "130"
team => "Phillies"
published => 1613678100
article_type => "short"
meta => {"file":"\/mnt\/gfs\/rsnunited\/sites\/default\/files\/archive\/article\/philadelphia\/phillies\/jt-realmuto-fractures-right-thumb-says-hes-not-worried.json","assets":["public:\/\/archive\/assets_article\/philadelphia\/2021\/02\/18\/Realmuto_J_USATSI_14924826.jpg"]}

PHILS INSIDER

/ by Jim Salisbury

PHILS INSIDER

Jim Salisbury

PHILS INSIDER

Two days into spring training, the Phillies already have their first injury — and it's to a very important player.

Catcher J.T. Realmuto has a small fracture at the base of his right thumb, manager Joe Girardi said on Thursday. Realmuto will be placed in a cast on Friday and will be immobilized for two weeks at which time he'll be evaluated by medical personnel.

Speaking with reporters, Realmuto expressed confidence that he would be ready to open the season on April 1, but he also said he won't rush if it's deemed that he needs more time.

"I'm not worried," he said.

Realmuto suffered the injury catching a bullpen session thrown by newcomer Jose Alvarado during a pre-camp workout last week. A breaking ball bounced in the dirt and hit Realmuto on the right thumb. For several days, Realmuto thought he had suffered a bone bruise. He had trouble throwing the baseball on Wednesday and further evaluation revealed the fracture.

The Phillies are thin at catcher with just Realmuto, Andrew Knapp and Rafael Marchan on the 40-man roster. Earlier this week, the Phillies signed veteran Jeff Mathis, a strong defender, to a minor-league deal. The signing was in the works before Realmuto's injury, according to Girardi. Nonetheless, Mathis could be in play for a roster spot if Realmuto is not ready for opening day.

Check back for more details on Realmuto's injury.