Phillies lose catcher to IL before Yankees series

The Philadelphia Phillies made another catching change Friday before their series against the New York Yankees, placing Rafael Marchan on the 10-day injured list with left knee patellar tendinitis, retroactive to July 23. In a corresponding move, Philadelphia selected Payton Henry’s contract from Triple-A Lehigh Valley and transferred Brad Keller from the 15-day to the 60-day injured list to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.

Marchan exited Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the ninth inning after experiencing discomfort in his left knee. Interim manager Don Mattingly said the catcher initially felt the issue on a swing earlier in the game before undergoing an MRI. The results came back better than expected, according to Mattingly, with no tear detected, although he did not provide a timetable for Marchan’s return.

The injury leaves the Phillies without both of its backup catchers. Garrett Stubbs was placed on the 10-day injured list earlier in the week with left wrist inflammation after last appearing on July 6. His IL stint was backdated to July 19, making him eligible to return early next week. Philadelphia has not started a catcher other than JT Realmuto, Marchqn or Stubbs since 2024.

Marchan, in his fifth season with the Phillies, has been limited offensively this year, batting .102 with two home runs and six RBIs in 32 games. Stubbs has also found little success at the plate, hitting .179 with two RBIs in 20 games.

Henry, 29, returns to the majors for the first time since appearing in 20 games with the Miami Marlins during the 2021 and 2022 seasons under Mattingly. He rejoined Philadelphia on July 4 after being released by the Yankees two days earlier. Across 200 minor league plate appearances this season between the Yankees and Phillies organizations, Henry owns a .201 average with a .576 OPS, four home runs and 14 RBIs. He hit .224 in seven games with Lehigh Valley after re-signing and will wear No. 35.

The roster move also officially shifted Keller, who is expected to miss the remainder of the season because of a UCL tear, to the 60-day injured list.