J.T. Realmuto is day-to-day with left ankle soreness after the Phillies star made an early exit from Sunday’s 7-4 win over the Diamondbacks. Phillies manager Joe Girardi told reporters (including NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jim Salisbury) that Realmuto hurt his ankle during a fifth inning at-bat, which forced the All-Star be replaced in the field to begin the sixth inning.
The Phils can only hope that Realmuto’s injury isn’t too serious, as he is perhaps the most indispensable member of the roster. Even though Realmuto has been ticketed for more time at first base, he is still the Phillies' primary catcher, and his absence will further test a position already thinned by the absence of Andrew Knapp (positive COVID-19 test). Rafael Marchan is the only other available backstop, and the Phillies would have to create a 40-man roster spot to add the contract of Tyler Heineman from Triple-A.
More injury updates from around baseball…
- The Yankees announced that Gleyber Torres was beginning a minor-league rehab assignment Sunday at Double-A Somerset. A left thumb sprain sent Torres to the 10-day injured list on Aug. 9. Presuming no setbacks, New York manager Aaron Boone told ESPN’s Marly Rivera and other reporters that the hope is Torres can be activated when the Yankees begin a home series with the Orioles on Friday. While Torres has been hitting well since the All-Star break, his overall numbers haven’t been very impressive this year, with a .253/.328/.351 slash line and six home runs over 407 plate appearances.
- Shane Bieber threw a 36-pitch, up-and-down bullpen session on Friday, Indians pitching coach Carl Willis told The Akron Beacon Journal’s Ryan Lewis and other reporters. Bieber tossed another bullpen session earlier this week and is in line for one more on Tuesday, and a simulated game could be the next step in Bieber’s rehab. The ace has been on the injured list since June 14 due to a shoulder strain, and while there is still a way to go in Bieber’s recovery, he seems to be on pace to return to the mound before the season is through.
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