MIAMI — J.T. Realmuto was activated from the injured list prior to Saturday’s game against the Marlins, but both Rafael Marchán and Garrett Stubbs remain on the 26-man roster for the Phillies.
Instead, the Phillies designated Dylan Moore for assignment. The 33-year-old offered strong defensive flexibility, but had zero hits in 12 at-bats this season.
Marchán is struggling mightily offensively, as he’s got just four hits in 51 at-bats this year, for an .078 batting average. Nonetheless, he is a strong defender and without any minor-league options, the Phillies have decided to hold onto the 27-year-old.
Stubbs also can’t be sent to the minors without clearing waivers. He worked on playing positions other than catcher in Spring Training and early on in the Triple-A season, and the Phillies keeping a third catcher suggests they believe he could hold his own in an MLB game
Interim manager Don Mattingly explained before Saturday's game why the Phillies have decided to keep three catchers for the time being.
"I like the thought of the three catchers, it allows a little bit more freedom with pinch hitting, running," Mattingly said. "Stubby's not a traditional catcher that can't do anything else. He can play second ... he can play third ... he can play left ... he actually runs, he can steal a bag ... he's a good baserunner, good bunter. All the things that role brings, we feel pretty good about Stubby doing it.
"You've seen how much Moore played," Mattingly continued. "That role is not a huge role."
Don Mattingly explains why the Phillies have opted to keep three catchers for the time being.
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The Phillies are also aware that Realmuto — who is hitting seventh in Saturday's lineup — is a 35-year-old catcher returning from back spasms. The hope is that he's good to go moving forward, but keeping both Marchán and Stubbs does give them some insurance.
"The thought of having a third catcher, with where J.T.'s been, we're hoping everything goes perfectly, but you never know," Mattingly said. "And it does give me the flexibility when Marchán plays."
From the sounds of things, Stubbs isn't a candidate to start at a position other than catcher, but Mattingly believes he could slot in at another position if it's a weird game involving pinch hitters and/or runners and the Phillies need him to go in at second base, third base or left field late for a few innings.
The Phillies have in the past talked about pacing Realmuto a little bit more behind the plate, and he usually ends up still taking down one of the largest workloads in the sport. Mattingly does seem genuine in wanting to protect Realmuto from himself, though, and he said he's willing to put either Marchán or Stubbs behind the plate on a day off for the starting catcher. If either of them can hit even a little bit, that may make it easier to manage Realmuto's workload.
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