What You Need To Know About JT Realmuto and the Latest Phillies Roster Moves
Before Friday Night’s game in Pittsburgh, the Philadelphia Phillies were 53-2 when leading after 8 Innings this season. But the Pirates came from behind to hand the Phillies one of the most disappointing losses of the 2024 season.
But less than 24 hours later, the Phillies and their fans have been given good news of an important player returning to the field after a six-week absence.
On Saturday afternoon, the Phillies sent out a press release to announce that Catcher JT Realmuto was being activated from the Injured List. To make room for him on the Major League Roster, the organization optioned Catcher Rafael Marchán to Lehigh Valley. This allows Machan to continue to get playing time at Triple-A while Garrett Stubbs maintains his role as Backup Catcher.
Everything You Need To Know About JT Realmuto’s Return
The 33-year-old catcher had a .261 Batting Average with Seven Home Runs and 20 Runs Batted In during the 51 games he played before sustaining a knee injury. Realmuto had Meniscectomy Surgery for his Right Knee on June 12. JT is back in the starting lineup and hitting fifth against the Pirates on Saturday
In Realmuto’s absence, the 25-year-old Catcher Marchan appeared in 17 games and had a .294 Batting Average with 3 Home Runs. Even though he was splitting catching responsibilities with Garrett Stubbs, the better everyday player was obviously Marchan over the last six weeks.
Important Roster Moves That Impact Phillies Pitching Staff
The Phillies made a second set of transactions on Saturday, recalling Relief Pitcher Yunior Marte from Lehigh Valley and sending Right Handed Pitcher Michael Mercado to Triple-A.
Marte has appeared in 15 games with the Phillies this season, posting a 3.31 ERA with 15 Strikeouts in 16.1 Innings Pitched. The 29 year old will provide some depth for a Phillies Bullpen that has some questions beyond their All-Star Selections (Jeff Hoffman and Matt Strahm).
Mercado showed promise in his first two outings as a Phillies Pitcher: A scoreless Relief appearance at Detroit on June 24th and a good start in Chicago going five innings while allowing only one Earned Run on July 2nd.
But the 25-year-old Pitcher got roughed up for 5 Runs against the Atlanta Braves on July 7th. After lasting only 1.2 Innings in the start in Atlanta Mercado went four innings in the final game of the first half against the Oakland A’s and allowed a total of Six Earned Runs.
Sending Mercado down to Triple-A gives him the chance to hit the reset button while also giving a subtle hit-tip to Tyler Phillips who is next scheduled to start on Sunday in Pittsburgh.
With no clear timetable for when Tijuan Walker and Spencer Turnbull will be available to return, it appears that Phillips will get the next two starts as the fifth man in the Philadelphia Pitching Rotation.
