With Garrett Stubbs DFA’d, Phillies catching plan begins to take shape

The Philadelphia Phillies have designated catcher Garrett Stubbs for assignment after five seasons in the organization, and he reportedly has no plans to return. Stubbs struggled offensively, posting a .368 OPS in 2026, though he was widely regarded for his clubhouse presence and strong rapport with pitchers like Aaron Nola. With primary catcher J.T. Realmuto's workload expected to decrease, the Phillies are now evaluating their options to find a more productive backup catcher.

Writer Ben Silver points to Cleveland Guardians backup Austin Hedges and free agent James McCann as potential targets to address the vacancy. Other external possibilities highlighted include Elias Diaz, Jonah Heim, Luke Maile, and Jake Rogers. The club also holds Rafael Marchán, but the Phillies reportedly do not intend to enter spring training with Marchán serving as their only backup option behind Realmuto.