The Phillies will promote catcher Garrett Stubbs to the majors when rosters expand from 26 to 28 on September 1, manager Dave Dombrowski said Sunday night.
Stubbs, 32, has spent the season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He was slated to stay in the minors after Rafael Marchan won the backup catcher job out of spring training and Stubbs, who had one option remaining, was sent down. In 2025 at Lehigh Valley, Stubbs hit .265 with a .753 OPS in 309 plate appearances. He is set to join Philadelphia in Milwaukee on Monday.
“He’s been a winner,” Dombrowski said. “He’s done a great job for us in Triple-A, not only on the field, but in the clubhouse. We thought it was a very well deserved promotion too.”
J.T. Realmuto has started behind the plate in 113 of the Phillies’ 137 games this season, including Sunday night’s game against the Atlanta Braves. The addition of a third catcher doesn’t necessarily signal fewer days off for Realmuto in September. Instead, it gives manager Rob Thomson the option to use Realmuto as a pinch hitter on non-start days without worrying about having no catcher on the bench. Realmuto’s last pinch-hit appearance came in 2023, and Thomson has typically kept him available on off days.
The Phillies could have used the extra roster spot in other ways. Otto Kemp, eligible to be recalled, could have provided right-handed pinch-hitting depth. Alternatively, outfielder Johan Rojas could have been recalled for late-game defense, or Justin Crawford could have earned a promotion, though the club has said Crawford needs regular at-bats to be successful at the major league level. With an outfield mix that already includes Marsh, Bader, Max Kepler, Nick Castellanos and Weston Wilson, carving out steady playing time for Crawford would be challenging.
“As it stands right now, we’re in a position where we’re having a hard time finding playing time for everybody on our roster as it currently is,” Dombrowski said. “We thought Stubby would be a nice addition.”
All 30 clubs will expand rosters to 28 on September 1, with only one of those spots allowed for a pitcher. Left-handed reliever Tim Mayza, claimed off waivers from the Pirates, will fill the extra pitcher role. Meanwhile, Walker Buehler, signing a minor-league deal with the Phillies, will report to Lehigh Valley and is expected to join the rotation as the sixth man on September 12 against the Kansas City Royals.
This move adds depth to Philadelphia’s roster ahead of a crucial stretch run, while Stubbs eyes a fresh chance at the majors and a continued contribution to a team aiming for a strong finish.