Phillies announce pair of demotions and activate J.T. Realmuto from IL
The star catcher is back from knee surgery, forcing the Phillies' third-string catcher back to Triple-A.
It's been a long time coming, but the Philadelphia Phillies are finally welcoming star catcher J.T. Realmuto back to action after an extended stay on the injured list. The team announced on Saturday that they have activated Realmuto and, in the corresponding move, optioned catcher Rafael Marchán back to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
The team also recalled right-handed pitcher Yunior Marte from Triple-A and sent rookie Michael Mercado back to Lehigh Valley.
Phillies announce pair of demotions and activate J.T. Realmuto from IL
In this most recent Triple-A stint, Marte made two appearances and allowed one run on one hit while striking out two and walking one in his two innings of work with the IronPigs. He carries a 3.31 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 16 1/3 major league innings this season.
Mercado's demotion isn't all that surprising. After an impressive debut and strong first MLB start, his last two games were anything but and he finishes his first foray in the big leagues with a 9.26 ERA in 11 2/3 innings.
The Phillies have reinstated catcher J.T. Realmuto from the 10-day IL and recalled RHP Yunior Marte from Lehigh Valley (AAA).
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 20, 2024
Catcher Rafael Marchán was optioned to Lehigh Valley today and RHP Michael Mercado was optioned to Lehigh Valley following last night's game.
The roster move to send Marchán down doesn't come as much of a surprise either, with the incumbent Garrett Stubbs locked in as the big league backup. While there was some clamoring from Phillies fans to see Stubbs demoted in favor of Marchán's bat, the Phillies want to keep their Chief Vibes Officer around for the stretch run.
In his 17 games with the Phillies, Marchán hit an impressive .294/.345/.549 with three home runs while driving in six runs and scoring eight. The 25-year-old will get regular at-bats in Triple-A with the IronPigs and, as long as he can stay healthy, will be the first one the Phillies call if another catcher is needed this season.
As for Realmuto, it feels like it has been forever since we last saw the three-time All-Star suit up for the Phillies. His last game was overseas during the London Series on June 9 before the team shut him down so he could have surgery to repair the meniscus in his right knee.
Before the trip to the IL, the 33-year-old was hitting .261/.309/.411 with seven home runs and 20 RBI in 51 games while battling through problems with his ailing knee. He'll slot back into the middle of the Phillies' ever-deeper lineup after filling in in the two-hole for Trea Turner before the surgery.
With Realumto back in the fold, it will mark the first time since Turner went on the IL on May 3 that the Phillies will march out their full lineup. Not that it's slowed them down, as they powered their way to MLB's best record despite the myriad of injuries to star players this season.
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