PHILADELPHIA — J.T. Realmuto is feeling better after leaving Tuesday night’s game with a finger contusion, and the Phillies expect he’ll be able to avoid the injured list.
Realmuto exited in the ninth inning of a 6-5 loss to Miami in 11 innings after taking a foul tip off the hand. He was diagnosed with a right index finger contusion, and an X-ray was negative.
Manager Rob Thomson said the three-time All-Star catcher reported feeling better Wednesday, though he was out of the lineup.
“There’s more mobility in his finger,” Thomson said. “It’s bruised. There’s still some swelling in there and pain but not as bad as yesterday.”
Thomson said the team has no plans to place him on the injured list, adding that he’d “like to see him play if he’s able” in the final four games of the regular season.
The foul tip happened with Heriberto Hernandez up to bat. After being visited by the trainers, Realmuto stayed in the game, and Hernandez tied it with a homer off closer Jhoan Duran.
Realmuto was pinch-hit for by Rafael Marchan in the bottom of the ninth, Realmuto unable to grip a bat. Marchan singled and was on first base when the game was delayed for 69 minutes.
Marchan got the start Wednesday night, batting ninth.
The Phillies have dealt with September injuries to Trea Turner and Alec Bohm, the latter of whom just returned to the lineup. None would be bigger than the calming presence of Realmuto behind the plate for the Phillies’ pitching staff.
“He’s super important to us,” Cristopher Sanchez said via a translator Tuesday night, after throwing seven scoreless innings. “He’s one of the best catchers in the game. We’re basically nothing without him. He’s a key player and a key piece for all of us.”
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As expected, Edmundo Sosa was activated from the injured list Wednesday. To make room, Donovan Walton was designated for assignment.
Sosa went on the injured list with a right groin strain on Sept. 16, the move retroactive to Sept. 13. He was eligible to be activated on Tuesday, when he went through live batting practice and other drills. The Phillies waited a day and returned him on Wednesday.
Sosa started at shortstop Wednesday night against Marlins left-handed starter Ryan Weathers. That moved Bryson Stott, who has been filling in for Turner at shortstop, back to second base.
Walton went 1-for-8 with an RBI since having his contract selected by the big league club.
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Before rain pelted Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday afternoon, Turner (hamstring strain) went through live batting practice, getting six at-bats against minor league pitchers. He also went through running drills and ground ball practice.
Thomson reported that he looks good, estimating him to be at about 75 percent speed. The team is still hoping to activate him by the end of the regular season to get a game or two before the postseason. He went on the IL on Sept. 8.
“We’ll get some more at-bats for him, continue ramping up his speed, more ground balls,” Thomson said. “He’s done everything. It’s just a matter of getting that speed up to 100 percent.”
Source: Berkshire mont