J.T. Realmuto has long been one of the league’s most durable catchers, and that has continued into his mid-30s. He leads the Majors with 613 games started behind the plate since 2022. That includes 122 games started this year, which…
Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski announced that the team plans to reduce catcher J.T. Realmuto's workload behind the plate in 2027. Dombrowski revealed the plan at the team's year-end press conference, explaining that Realmuto is open to the reduction, which could include playing more at first base. The decision is aimed at keeping the veteran fresh and helping him rebound offensively.
Realmuto, who turns 36 during Spring Training, struggled at the plate in 2026, batting .205/.283/.331 with 11 home runs and a career-worst 68 wRC+ in the first season of his three-year, $45 million extension. Despite his offensive decline, he led Major League Baseball with 122 games started at catcher and remained elite defensively at catching baserunners.
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