The Philadelphia Phillies are intentionally reducing the playing time of veteran catcher J. T.
Realmuto during the 2026 MLB season to manage his workload and protect him from physical decline, team officials said this week.
The 35-year-old catcher has started only 30 or 31 of Philadelphia's first 48 or 49 games, following a 10-day injured list stint in late April due to back spasms and a brief absence after a foul ball to his ankle.
Strategic Rest for Postseason Push
Interim manager Don Mattingly explained the tactical shift before a recent game against the Cincinnati Reds, emphasizing that the goal is to preserve Realmuto for a potential deep postseason run rather than diminish his role.
"I just don't think him catching five, six days in a row at this point in the season makes a lot of sense," Mattingly said, as reported by mlb.
com. "We're going to try to keep him stronger through the course of the season."
Mattingly acknowledged Realmuto's competitive nature but stressed the need to consider the long 162-game season.
"J. T.
is tough.
I know he wants to play, and he wants to be in there every day, and we appreciate that," Mattingly said.
"But again, I think sometimes you have to save guys from themselves and try to give them days here and there."
The adjusted strategy uses a three-catcher roster including Rafael Marchan and Garrett Stubbs, allowing the coaching staff to rest Realmuto while matching him with preferred starting pitchers.
"And then also we're trying to, you know, make sure he gets matched up with the right guys.
There's certain guys we really want J. T.
to catch. Other guys were okay either way.
Things like that. So then that works, kind of works the days out," Mattingly said.
Realmuto is batting . 212 or .
220 with one home run, four doubles, and eight RBIs across 100 at-bats since returning from the injured list on May 2, yielding a .
453 OPS and 27 wRC+.
Despite the offensive slump, Realmuto remains elite defensively, ranking in the 93rd percentile in caught stealing above average, the 90th percentile in framing, and the 100th percentile in pop time.
"If we get to the point where [we need him] every day, as much as he can, then that's where we'll get to," Mattingly said.
"But the early part of the year, and kind of coming off that back thing, there's no reason to have to push."
Mattingly expressed confidence that Realmuto's routine and mechanics will yield positive results as the season progresses.
"He always looks the same to me… his setup and things like that don't really change much," Mattingly said after a loss on Wednesday afternoon.
Philadelphia relies on Realmuto's stability to anchor the lineup as the team navigates the National League playoff race.
"So I haven't seen a whole lot, honestly.
I know he's not getting a lot of hits and things like that, but, you know, we count on JT to be JT over the course of this season," Mattingly said.
Realmuto also postponed his "Faith and Baseball Night" event, originally scheduled for Saturday, due to stadium concert logistics, with plans to reschedule for the 2027 season.
