MLB Player News

Realmuto (knee) remains on the bench for the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Nationals.

The Phillies' loss in the afternoon game eliminated them from playoff contention, so it's hardly surprising that Realmuto won't be rushed back from a sore knee. Whether or not he returns at any point over the final week of the season remains to be seen.

Diaz (knee) remains on the bench Tuesday against the Cubs.

Diaz left Saturday's game against the Brewers with a knee issue and hasn't appeared since. It's not clear when he's expected to return. Jacob Stallings gets the start behind the plate Tuesday.

Grullon will make his first career start in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Nationals.

Grullon will catch and bat eighth. The 23-year-old has been up for all of September but has made just a single plate appearance. He could get a few more opportunities to audition for the backup catcher job next season with J.T. Realmuto dealing with a sore knee. Grullon had long been seen as a defense-first prospect but has improved his stock over the last two seasons, hitting 21 homers in both campaigns while producing above-average batting lines. He's still unlikely to be anything more than a backup as long as he remains in the same organization as Realmuto.

Realmuto (knee) is not in the lineup for the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader in Washington.

Realmuto's absence is no surprise, as he underwent an MRI on his sore knee Monday. The results of that test have not yet been released, but the Phillies are likely to be cautious down the stretch with the star catcher. Deivi Grullon gets his first career start behind the plate.

Gomes is not in the lineup for the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Phillies.

Raudy Read gets the nod for the day's first game. Gomes will start behind the plate in the nightcap, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Realmuto's absence from the lineup Monday in Washington is due to a sore right knee, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports.

The injury helps explain why the catcher finds himself on the bench for the second time in four games. He'll undergo an MRI on Monday, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports, though he's not particularly concerned about the severity of the issue. Regardless of the results of that test, there's a chance the Phillies don't bother bringing Realmuto back this season, as there's little reason to risk further injuring a key player with the team effectively out of the playoff race.

Realmuto is not starting Monday against the Nationals.

With the Phillies now six games out of a wild-card spot with seven games left to play, they may not ask Realmuto to handle his typically heavy workload down the stretch. Andrew Knapp starts behind the plate for the second time in four games.

Smith went 1-for-3 with a solo homer and a walk in a win over the Rockies on Sunday.

Smith's solo shot in the eighth inning snapped a streak of 13 games without going deep. It was also his first extra-base hit in a brutal September in which the 24-year-old has gone 5-for-44 (.114) with 14 strikeouts. Despite the rough month, Smith remains one of the better hitting backstops in the National League, posting a .242/.318/.561 slash line with 14 homers and 37 RBI in only 50 games this season.

Mejia is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Austin Hedges will step in behind the dish for the day game after Mejia started at catcher in Saturday's 4-2 loss. Mejia has gone 2-for-7 with a walk in two games since returning from the injured list Sept. 17.

Diaz (knee) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

Diaz left Saturday's game with a right knee injury, and the setback will prevent him from starting Sunday. The extent of Diaz's injury is uncertain, so it remains to be seen if he will be back in the lineup for the Pirates' next game Tuesday against the Cubs.