J.T. Realmuto out of Phillies lineup with bruised foot, status uncertain for Friday

SAN FRANCISCO — After a foul tip from Rafael Devers hit J.T. Realmuto’s right foot in the first inning Tuesday, he knew immediately something was wrong.

At first, he had trouble putting weight on it and feared it was broken. Right away, Realmuto signaled to backup Rafael Marchán to start getting ready. He remained in the game to finish catching the at-bat, but after Devers flew out to end the inning, he was taken out immediately with what turned out to be a bruise.

The ball hit him on the inside part of his big toe, manager Rob Thomson said.

“He’s a rock back there, and you hate to see that,” outfielder Otto Kemp said. “The hard part about the catching position is it’s just so uncontrollable. So glad that hopefully he’s all right and can bounce back.”

» READ MORE: Davey Lopes, who sped to Phillies infamy on ‘Black Friday’ before coaching with the team, has died at 80

X-rays were negative, but Realmuto was still sore on Wednesday. Rafael Marchán started behind the plate in the series finale against the Giants and hit eighth in the lineup. Third baseman Alec Bohm, who sat out Tuesday’s game with groin tightness, was back in the lineup Wednesday. Thomson said Bohm is fine.

Thomson wasn’t sure who the emergency third catcher would be in the event Marchán became unavailable as well, but it could possibly be Dylan Moore.

Moore, a 2024 Gold Glove utility player, has played every position on the field in the major leagues except catcher.

Of course, the Phillies hope they won’t have to find out. The Phillies have an off day on Thursday before hosting the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Realmuto will get treatment and further evaluation. His status is unknown for the series opener on Friday, but he is optimistic.

“It feels better [Wednesday] than it did straight after the game, so I’m hoping with progression, I’ll be ready Friday,” Realmuto said.

Garrett Stubbs is the Phillies’ primary catching depth at triple-A Lehigh Valley after he cleared waivers and elected to remain in the organization in March. In three games, Stubbs is 5-for-12 with two homers. René Pinto, another catcher for Lehigh Valley, was placed on the injured list last week with a broken hand.

» READ MORE: ‘Phillies Extra’ Q&A: Scott Boras on extending Bryce Harper’s ‘legacy’ in Philly, and more

The Phillies acquired outfielder Steward Berroa from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for cash considerations, the team announced Wednesday.

Berroa, 26, is a switch-hitter and was optioned to Lehigh Valley. In a corresponding move to clear a spot on the Phillies’ 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Yoniel Curet was designated for assignment. The Phillies had acquired Curet from the Rays in a minor-league swap for right-handed pitcher Tommy McCollum in December.

Berroa opened the season on the injured list with a right shoulder strain, but was activated on April 2 and optioned to the Brewers’ triple-A affiliate. He has a .250/.355/.378 slash line in 601 career minor league games with 90 doubles and 36 home runs.

In 30 career major league games between the Blue Jays in 2024 and Brewers in 2025, Berroa has a .167 batting average and seven stolen bases.

The Phillies, who entered Wednesday’s game with an MLB-worst .158 batting average against left-handed pitchers, are not scheduled to face a lefty starter during the series against the Diamondbacks. Thomson said he will need to sprinkle in the platoon players who typically only start against lefties — Kemp and Edmundo Sosa — in order to keep them sharp. … Zack Wheeler made his third start of his rehab assignment for the IronPigs on Wednesday, throwing 61 pitches (44 strikes) over 4⅓ innings. He allowed one earned run on three hits and one walk, while striking out six. Wheeler’s four-seam averaged 92.9 mph and topped out at 94.3 mph. … Following Thursday’s off day, Jesús Luzardo (1-1, 4.97 ERA) is scheduled to start Friday’s opener against Arizona.

Watch the latest episode

The Phillies are desperate for right-handed hitting. Mike Trout bats right-handed. But Trout also has full no-trade rights and has never asked the Angels to move him. Joe Maddon, Trout's manager for three years, joins "Phillies Extra" to answer the most important question: Why? And will this be the year that Trout asks out? Maddon also shares his thoughts on the Phillies' managerial change, Kyle Schwarber, Brandon Marsh, and more. Watch here.

You can also subscribe to the podcast version of Phillies Extra on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Previous episodes: Rhys Hoskins | Terry Francona | Aaron Rowand | Hunter Pence | Paco Figueroa | Gage Wood | Scott Boras | Brian Barber | Aaron Nola | Justin Crawford