Phillies keep three catchers on active roster after reinstating J.T. Realmuto from injured list

The Phillies are carrying three catchers on their 26-man roster after reinstating starter J.T. Realmuto.

Realmuto (back spasms) was taken off the 10-day injured list before the club’s game against the Miami Marlins on Saturday afternoon at loanDepot park, the Phillies announced. Utility man Dylan Moore was designated for assignment to make room on the active roster.

The 35-year-old Realmuto hit the IL on April 22, leaving the Phillies without their starting backstop for the minimum 10 days. During that span, backup Rafael Marchán started six games, and Garrett Stubbs, who entered the year at Triple-A after being DFA’d before the beginning of the regular season, started three. Neither option played particularly well in Realmuto’s absence, but Marchán’s struggles so far in 2026 have been notable. He’s batting .078 on the season and gone 8-8 on ABS challenges behind the plate with a couple big misses on pitches high out of the zone.

With the way Marchán has performed, perhaps the Phillies could have passed him through waivers and sent him to Triple-A. But rather than designating either one of Marchán or Stubbs for assignment, the Phillies decided to keep both and send out the seldom-used Moore. A former Gold Glove winner capable of playing all around the diamond, Moore rarely played, even with the Phillies in need of a reliable short-side platoon left fielder. The veteran went hitless in 15 plate appearances and finished as many lopsided games as a pitcher (two) as starts as a position player (two).

While Stubbs is a left-handed hitter instead of a right-handed hitter like Moore, he could provide some of the same functions that Moore did. Stubbs is a capable pinch runner, and he spent time in the minor leagues playing third base and left field if the Phillies need a defensive replacement late in games. Still, it’s hard to imagine the catcher the team deems to be third on the depth chart — whether that’s Stubbs or Marchán — getting much playing time while Realmuto is healthy.

In 17 games, Realmuto is batting .259 with a .696 OPS and a 92 OPS+. While that’s below league average, it’s still one of the better marks for a right-handed hitter on the Phillies this year, and it’s much better production than the club has gotten from Marchán or Stubbs in their opportunities. The Phillies should be mindful of Realmuto’s workload at this point in his career, but he’s going to get the bulk of the at-bats.