Phillies Injury Updates: J.T. Realmuto ‘very close’ to return

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The Latest Phillies Injury Updates

J.T. Realmuto (right knee surgery)
Status: 10-day injured list; nearing return
The Phillies announced on June 11 that Realmuto had been placed on the injured list with right knee pain. He underwent successful right knee meniscectomy surgery on June 12. At the time of his placement on the IL, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski estimated the team would be without Realmuto for “about a month” following the completion of his procedure. Realmuto said he initially suffered the tear during an early May rainy game against the Giants as he was rounding third. He played through the injury, but was unable to tolerate the pain, making surgery a necessity.
Realmuto spent the All-Star break in Clearwater continuing his rehab. He took batting practice before Friday’s game against the Pirates. It’s possible he could be activated during the Pirates series. (Last Updated by Destiny Lugardo on July 19).

Zack Wheeler (back spasms)
Status: Won’t make next start until Twins series
Zack Wheeler was lifted early from his July 9 start against the Dodgers with left low back tightness. He had dealt with back issues in each of his last two starts, but the Phillies have been able to treat it and keep Wheeler on the mound.An MRI on Wheeler’s back revealed no structural damage, but the Phillies will be cautious with their All-Star righty. His injury does not require an injured list stint, but his next start will likely come during the Twins series.
Wheeler played catch from 120 feet on Friday in Pittsburgh. Thomson also said he was able to get a throwing session in while on vacation in the Hamptons. Thomson should have a date for both Wheeler and Suárez’s next starts on Saturday. (Updated by Destiny Lugardo on July 19)

Ranger Suárez (lower back spasms)
Status: Expected to make next start
Suárez was replaced on the All-Star Game roster by Atlanta Braves lefty Max Fried. Suárez is dealing with lower backs spasms, according to Dombrowski. Suárez didn’t report any discomfort until after his Friday night start against the Oakland Athletics, in which he gave up six runs over six innings. “It’s not anything major,” Dombrowski added. The Phillies don’t expect he’ll miss his next start, but he may not pitch until the second series after the All-Star Break.
Suárez played catch from 120 feet on Friday and threw a flatground bullpen session. He also threw Wednesday and Thursday during the break. Thomson is confident he will come out OK and make his next start during the Twins series. (Updated by Destiny Lugardo on July 19)

Taijuan Walker (right index finger inflammation)
Status: 15-day injured list
Walker has inflammation in his right index finger and a blister on the inside (right) of it. RHP Michael Mercado was called up to take his spot on the 26-man roster.
Walker is expected to arrive in Pittsburgh closer to first pitch on Friday after his flight was cancelled. He will throw an up-and-down bullpen session on Saturday. (Updated by Destiny Lugardo on July 19)

Spencer Turnbull (right lat strain)
Status: 15-day injured list, out 6-8 weeks
Turnbull will be out until August with a right lat strain. He was lifted from his start against the Detroit Tigers after three innings on June 26 with right shoulder soreness. He expressed optimism about his status to reporters in Detroit after the game, but testing revealed a more significant injury.
Turnbull started playing catch on July 13, with an off day scheduled for July 14. The plan is for him to start working on his throwing program, with everything on track currently. (Updated by Tim Kelly on July 14)

Luis Ortiz (Tommy John surgery)
Status: 15-day injured list
Ortiz underwent successful Tommy John surgery on July 11. (Updated by Destiny Lugardo on July 12)

Michael Rucker (right hand arterial vasospasm)
Status: 60-day injured list
Rucker threw a bullpen session on May 14, and is set to throw another one on May 17.
Rucker was transferred from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list on June 3.
Rucker was at Citizens Bank Park on July 11, with the plan being for him to throw a bullpen session. If that goes well, he’ll make a rehab appearance at either Single-A Jersey Shore or Triple-A Lehigh Valley to make a rehab appearance on July 13. (Updated by Tim Kelly on July 11)

Andrew Painter (Tommy John surgery)
Status: Minor league 60-day injured list
The No. 1 overall prospect in the Phillies’ minor league system underwent Tommy John surgery on July 25, 2023.
Painter is throwing 25-pitch bullpens every Tuesday and Friday. He’s only throwing fastballs and changeups currently. Thomson didn’t rule out the 21-year-old pitching in simulated games — which are a controlled setting — before the end of the year. However, he doesn’t believe he’ll be pitching for an affiliate at any point in 2024. (Updated by Tim Kelly on June 29)

Dylan Covey (right shoulder strain)
Status: 60-day injured list
Covey is still dealing with his shoulder strain, and was backed off of throwing. As he was doing some conditioning work, he also slightly pulled a hamstring. He was in Philadelphia on May 8 seeing team doctors, but was expected to head back to Clearwater on May 10.
Covey was transferred from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list on June 1. (Updated by Bailey Digh on June 4)

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