JT Realmuto Could Return This Weekend; Updates on Zack Wheeler, Ranger Suarez – NBC Sports Philadelphia

PITTSBURGH — Rob Thomson said before the All-Star break that JT Realmuto seemed more likely to return in the Phillies’ second comeback series than the first, but now it appears their starting catcher could be activated as early as Saturday at PNC Park.

“I’m not sure yet, but it’s very, very close,” Thomson said before the Phillies’ series opener against the Pirates on Friday night.

Friday is a recovery day for Realmuto, who continued his rehab in Clearwater during the All-Star break. There’s no final box to check, it’s just a matter of how his body responds.

When Realmuto is activated, the Phillies will likely opt to send catcher Rafael Marchan back to Triple-A. Marchan has played very well in Realmuto’s absence, going 15-for-51 (.294) with four doubles and three home runs while playing solid defense. The 25-year-old appears ready to be a backup in the big leagues, but he may have to wait until 2025 to fill that role. The Phillies would likely prefer to have him play every day in Triple-A rather than have him start once or twice a week in the big leagues while Stubbs is still on the roster.

Realmuto has been out since the Phillies returned from London on June 9 with a knee injury. He had been dealing with right meniscus soreness since the first week of May and underwent a meniscectomy on June 12.

The Phillies are 17-14 in games Realmuto has missed.

Rotation Updates

Zack Wheeler (back spasms) and Ranger Suarez (back strain) are both progressing and are expected to return to the Phillies’ rotation in Minnesota after the Pittsburgh game ends.

Both threw 120 feet Friday and Suarez threw a flat-field session. Suarez will throw a bullpen session Saturday and the Phillies will decide from there who starts Monday and who starts Tuesday.

“I’m pretty confident he’s OK, but we’ll see tomorrow,” Thomson said of Suarez.

The Phillies will start Aaron Nola on Friday night, Christopher Sanchez on Saturday night and Tyler Phillips on Sunday afternoon. They won’t face rookie sensation Paul Skenes in the series. The Pirates are counting on soft-throwing veteran lefties in the opener (Martin Perez) and the last game (Marco Gonzales) and on mediocre right-hander Luis L. Ortiz on Saturday.