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Phillies Looking to Reduce J.T. Realmuto's Catching Workload in 2027
Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said that the team will reduce catcher J.T. Realmuto's workload behind the plate in 2027, per Cole Weintraub of NBC Sports Philadelphia. Realmuto caught 123 games for the Phillies in 2026 and had the worst offensive season of his career by far, hitting .205/.283/.331 with 11 home runs, 51 RBI, 52 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 467 plate appearances. At this point in his career, the 35-year-old may simply be done as a positive contributor at the plate. However, a reduced catching workload could help Realmuto's legs stay fresher and allow him to rebound. Realmuto could be a decent bounce-back target for fantasy managers to target in drafts ahead of 2027.
Source: NBC Sports Philadelphia - Cole Weintraub
Source: NBC Sports Philadelphia - Cole Weintraub
Don Mattingly To Manage Phillies For Two More Years
The Philadelphia Phillies have announced a new two-year deal for former interim manager Don Mattingly to manage the team in 2027 and 2028, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. The Phillies bowed out of the playoffs this year in the National League wild-card series against the Atlanta Braves, although they did come back to force a decisive Game 3. The Phillies will look to Mattingly to help them break through in the playoffs, as the team is largely talented both hitting-wise and on the mound.
Source: Mark Feinsand, MLB.com
Source: Mark Feinsand, MLB.com
J.T. Realmuto a Positive Regression Candidate?
Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto is showing his age (35) in his 13th year in the big leagues in 2026. The three-time All-Star is currently hitting .201/.286/.319 with a career-worst .604 OPS, five home runs, 25 RBI, 22 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 61 games played across 231 plate appearances. He hit just .176 (13-for-74) with eight walks and 20 strikeouts in 21 games in June, but he also had three of his five home runs, five doubles, 16 RBI, 11 runs scored, and two of his three steals in 85 plate appearances. Realmuto is no longer in his prime and has been showing signs of decline at the plate for the last several seasons, but is he really as bad as his current surface stats suggest? Under the hood, Realmuto's expected batting average of .248 and xwOBA of .316 (wOBA of .274) point to a second-half resurgence. But still, he's ranked in the 38th percentile in hard-hit rate, the 22nd percentile in barrel rate, and the 34th percentile in chase rate. There's very little upside here, which is why Realmuto is now rostered in less than 20% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
J.T. Realmuto Back From Wrist Injury to Face Padres
Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (wrist) is doing the catching for left-hander Cristopher Sanchez and will bat seventh on Wednesday against the visiting San Diego Padres and right-hander Walker Buehler, according to MLB.com. Realmuto was hit on the left wrist by a pitch in Sunday's series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and despite having a scheduled day off on Monday, he remained out for Tuesday's series opener against SD. The 13-year veteran is back in action for Game 2 of the series at Citizens Bank Park, but fantasy managers may want to continue to leave the struggling Realmuto on their benches. The three-time All-Star has shown his age in 2026 (35 years old) and is hitting just .220 (28-for-127) with two home runs, nine RBI, 11 runs scored, and a stolen base in 39 games played. Realmuto has only had three career at-bats against Buehler and is hitless against him. Since May 18, Realmuto has gone 6-for-29 (.207) at the plate with a solo homer, three walks, and seven strikeouts in 10 games played.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
J.T. Realmuto Expected to Return to Phillies Lineup on Wednesday
Philadelphia Phillies manager Don Mattingly said that catcher J.T. Realmuto (wrist) is expected to return to the team's lineup on Wednesday, per Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Realmuto was removed early from Philadelphia's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday after taking a 97-mile-per-hour fastball off his left wrist. The Phillies had an off day on Monday, and Realmuto was held out of the team's game on Tuesday against the San Diego Padres, but he appears to have avoided a serious injury. Across 142 plate appearances so far in 2026, Realmuto is hitting .220/.296/.299 with two home runs, nine RBI, 11 runs scored, and one stolen base. His barrel rate has fallen to a career-worst 2.9%, making him a low-end starting option for fantasy managers in two-catcher leagues at best.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
Source: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
JT Realmuto is Removed with Wrist Contusion
Philadelphia Phillies catcher JT Realmuto (wrist) was forced to make an early exit from Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Realmuto was hit on the left wrist by a pitch during the third inning. He was replaced by Rafael Marchan behind the plate in the fourth inning. The Phillies are calling it a left wrist contusion, but further testing should help determine the severity of the injury. Realmuto was plunked by a pitch in his lone plate appearance of the game. For now, fantasy managers should consider Realmuto as day-to-day. Marchan should see a majority of the starts behind the plate if Realmuto misses any time.
Source: Lochlahn March
Source: Lochlahn March
