Boston The Phillies, currently leading the National League, will be without star catcher J.T. Realmuto for approximately a month. Realmuto was placed on the 10-day injured list before Tuesday's game, which the Phillies won 4-1 in Boston. He will undergo surgery on his right knee for a meniscectomy on Wednesday in Philadelphia. The projected recovery time lines up with the All-Star Game, which takes place on July 16, so Realmuto could potentially return when the Phillies resume their season on July 19 in Pittsburgh.



"It's definitely a tough loss, " said ace Zack Wheeler, who threw seven innings of one-run ball in Tuesday's win. "J.T. is, in my opinion, the best catcher in the game. Hes caught nearly all of my starts, so its a bit different throwing to someone else. But the guy we had tonight did a great job calling the gamehes a big league catcher for a reason."



Realmuto first felt discomfort in his knee on May 4 during a game against the Giants. Despite the pain, he managed to play through it Tug McGraw Jersey, only sitting out three consecutive games from May 12-14. An MRI at that time revealed a small meniscus tear, which was initially thought to be minor. However, as time went on, the pain became more persistent.



"We thought hed be able to manage it, but the pain didnt subside, so we decided it was time for surgery, " said Dave Dombrowski, the Phillies president of baseball operations. "When I spoke to him, he said he was fine to play, but we agreed it was best to take care of it now instead of letting it linger."



Realmuto's absence is significant John Kruk Jersey, as he is widely regarded as one of the most valuable players on the Phillies, especially for his defensive skills and leadership in managing the pitching staff. Since joining the team in 2019, Realmuto has missed only 11 days on the IL due to a wrist injury, and his durability behind the plate is remarkable. He has caught more innings than any other catcher in baseball since 2015 and leads all catchers in bWAR during that span.



To fill the gap, the Phillies will rely on backup catcher Garrett Stubbs and Rafael Marchn, who was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Stubbs has performed well in his limited playing time this season, while Marchn has been recovering from injuries but is seen as a promising option.



"We have confidence in both of them, " Dombrowski said. "Garrett has been playing well lately, and weve always been high on Marchn, though hes had some injury setbacks. Were comfortable with the depth we have."



Despite this setback, the Phillies are in a strong position, holding a 10-game lead over the Braves in the National League East. The team is also five games ahead of the Dodgers for the best record in the league. "Its better to get the surgery now, " Dombrowski added. "That way, we know hell be back and fully ready instead of having to deal with the injury later in the season."







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