Here's the latest on J.T. Realmuto, who left Saturday's game with lower back tightness

PHILADELPHIA — When it rains, it pours. 

J.T. Realmuto departed Saturday's 3-1 Phillies loss to the Atlanta Braves with lower back tightness. Rafael Marchán replaced him behind the dish in the top of the seventh inning. 

Realmuto, Rob Thomson revealed after the game, initially "jammed his knee and jammed his back" in the second inning for Friday's 9-0 loss to the Braves when he reached for an Adolis García throw to the plate that he ultimately whiffed on. 

The knee is fine, per Thomson. Realmuto was getting his back checked at the time the manager spoke postgame. Thomson indicated that it's unlikely Realmuto will play tomorrow, but he doesn't currently believe he'll need an injured list stint.

Rob Thomson with the latest on J.T. Realmuto

(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/6TVkfofTxz

— OnPattison (@OnPattison) April 19, 2026

Prior to his departure, Realmuto was 0-for-2 against former NL Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale. Compared to other right-handed hitters on the Phillies, Realmuto has actually been pretty productive so far this season, as he's hitting .280 with a .748 OPS. The Phillies — who have now lost four consecutive games — can't afford to get any thinner in terms of right-handed hitting options. 

This is the second time Realmuto has had to leave a game this season, as he previously exited April 7's game in San Francisco after getting a ball fouled off his right foot. 

Realmuto, 35, returned to the Phillies on a three-year/$45 million deal with incentives in free agency this past offseason. 

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