Phillies' J.T. Realmuto to Undergo Knee Surgery, Fans Hold Their Breath
The news release hit at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, and there it was in the second paragraph: the dreaded words for anyone who cares about the Phillies.
Realmuto is scheduled to undergo right knee meniscectomy surgery.
Let's take a moment to digest that. J.T. Realmuto, arguably the most irreplaceable player on the Phillies, is set to miss at least a month after his surgery in Philadelphia on Wednesday. The 33-year-old catcher has been dealing with a tear of the meniscus in his knee.
Despite this setback, the Phillies have shown a remarkable resilience. They managed without Bryce Harper for two months in 2022 and Ranger Suárez for six weeks last season. They've even thrived without Trea Turner this year, maintaining a historic winning pace. However, this is different. Realmuto isn't just any player.
Key Points:
- Crucial Role: Realmuto is the backbone of the team. He calls every pitch, helps plan each game, and touches the ball more than anyone else on the field. Pitchers swear by him, and teammates revere him.
- Leadership: Nick Castellanos described him as the team’s "backbone," and if the Phillies had a captain, it would be Realmuto.
The Plan Moving Forward
With Realmuto out, the Phillies will rely on backup Garrett Stubbs and have called up Rafael Marchán from Triple-A. Stubbs started a total of 64 games over the last two seasons and was on pace for 35 starts this year. Marchán, praised for his defense, has had his share of injuries, limiting his playtime in previous seasons.
Looking for Backup Options
While the team hopes for a quick recovery for Realmuto, they are also exploring short-term replacements. Options include Tomás Nido, designated for assignment by the Mets, and Omar Narváez, released after struggling with the Mets. If the Blue Jays become sellers at the trade deadline, Danny Jansen could be an option. Elias Díaz from the Rockies might also be available, though the Rockies are notoriously slow to move players at the deadline.
Optimism and Reality
The Phillies are optimistic despite this hurdle. Fangraphs gives them a 99.5% chance to make the playoffs and 80.3% to win the NL East, with Baseball Reference even more bullish at better than 99.9% for the playoffs and 96.3% to win the division.
Long-Term Considerations
In the offseason, the Phillies will need to consider Realmuto's workload. This is his second meniscus cleanup in his right knee, the first being near the end of the 2019 season. Eventually, they will need to reassess how many games he can start behind the plate and look into deepening their backup catcher options.
Final Thoughts
For now, the focus is on getting through the next month without Realmuto. The Phillies hope to have him back after the All-Star break, ready for a strong push towards October. After all, the ultimate goal is making sure Realmuto is ready for the playoffs, because his presence is irreplaceable.
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