More than a month ago, Philadelphia Phillies manager Joe Girardi announced that J.T. Realmuto had a small fracture in his right thumb, an injury suffered during a pre-camp workout.
With Opening Day less than two weeks away, signs are pointing in a favorable direction that the star catcher will be fully healed and ready to play in the team’s first regular season game in front of home fans in more than 700 days.
Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto will likely be in the Opening Day lineup on April 1.
Realmuto logged several plate appearances during a simulated game on Friday, according to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki. Girardi told reporters that the catcher’s thumb is “stable” and “continues to heal,” and that he remains “on course” to start the season opener.
Realmuto could soon be cleared to start logging Grapefruit League plate appearances — likely as the designated hitter, and later some innings behind the plate — in preparation for the April 1 matchup against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park.
Realmuto was not the only Phillies player said to be on the mend from their respective injuries. Fellow catcher Rafael Marchan (strained hamstring) and center fielder Adam Haseley (strained left adductor) also logged plate appearances in the simulated game on Friday.
Zach Eflin and Spencer Howard have both been dealing with back issues and have recently thrown from 120 feet. Both could log bullpen sessions this weekend, and Girardi said he feels good about Eflin’s chances to be ready for his would-be first start of the regular season on April 4.
The Phillies are taking a careful, patient approach with Howard as he gears up for his second year. “Spencer Howard has never reached 150/160 innings,” Girardi said prior to spring training, “so we understand that we have to be somewhat careful with him.”
Considering his back issue, don’t expect the Phillies to rush Howard into a return from his injury.
Other injured Phillies on the mend include right-handers Connor Brogdon (rib) and Vince Velasquez (oblique), as well as top bench player Brad Miller (oblique). The Phillies have just 10 spring games left to play, six being at home — including their final two exhibition games against the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays on March 28-29.