The Phillies tried to avoid placing J.T. Realmuto on the 10-day injured list but had to do so Friday when the bone bruise in his left hand forced him out of a fifth straight game.
Realmuto was placed on the IL retroactive to May 18, meaning he could be available to return on May 28.
Realmuto first injured the hand trying to catch a wild pitch in St. Louis on April 29. The ball struck him in the base of the left hand and caused him to miss the Phillies’ next two games. He returned on May 2 and played in eight of the Phillies’ next nine games before exiting last Saturday, the most recent game he’s played.
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Realmuto has started behind the plate in 29 of the Phillies’ 44 games this season.
Andrew Knapp catches Aaron Nola Friday night against the Red Sox. It’s Knapp’s fourth straight start and ninth in 19 games this month. He is hitting .175/.250/.228 through 64 plate appearances.
Knapp and Rafael Marchan are the Phillies’ catchers for now. Realmuto’s spot on the active roster was filled by outfielder Matt Joyce, who was activated from the injured list after missing just over two weeks with a calf injury. Joyce is a welcome addition to what’s been, for weeks, a thin Phillies bench.
Here is the lineup Friday against Red Sox left-hander Martin Perez:
MLB
1. Andrew McCutchen, LF
2. Jean Segura, 2B
3. Bryce Harper, RF
4. Rhys Hoskins, 1B
5. Alec Bohm, 3B
6. Odubel Herrera, CF
7. Andrew Knapp, C
8. Ronald Torreyes, SS
9. Aaron Nola, SP
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