High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Dave Dombrowski: We Feel Comfortable With Our Catchers | Phillies On-Deck

Episode Date: June 12, 2024

Phillies president Dave Dombrowski joins Gregg Murphy to give an update on JT Realmuto's injury and the team's plan to replace him while he recovers from knee surgery. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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And we welcome in the president of the baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski. And that's some big news. Obviously, Dave, something we didn't want to have to start with, but we do. JT Real Muto headed to the injured list. Yes, he's headed to the injured list. He hurt his knee back in the beginning of May on that wet turf we had one day at the ballpark and missed a couple days and looked like he might be able to play through it. But unfortunately, as time went on, things didn't get much better.

And it's reached a point where there's no question that the best way to handle this is to go out and have surgery so we can get this thing done and knocked out. He's one of the toughest guys around I mean it seems like he gets knocked around and right back up so obviously this is something that needs to get taken care of what is the prognosis to the best of your knowledge? Well it's a cartilage a meniscus type of repair, and so usually these type of things are about a month, so that's what we're anticipating at this time. I guess if they go in there, anything unanticipated could take place, but they're really thinking this is a month type of situation around give or take a few days anyway, so

we'll make sure to not push them, but when we've had these type of surgeries before, that's usually around the time period. Well, it's the next man up mentality that this team has adopted all season long, and Rafael Marchand will get his opportunity at some point to make a difference at the big league level as well. What do you hope to see from Rafael? What are you hoping that he's able to bring to the table? Well, we like Rafael Marchand a great deal. We've liked him for a while. Unfortunately for him, he's had to bring to the table. Well, we like Rafael Marchand a great deal. We've liked him for a while.

Unfortunately for him, he's had a lot of injuries. But this year, he started off the year on the injured list with some back issues. But those have cleared up. He's gone down to AAA. He's played very well over there at AAA for us. He can really catch and throw. There's no doubt about that. He also handles the pitching staff well.

That's something that he has done since he came up here as a youngster. So we expect him to go out there, handle the staff like the rest of the guys do. Don't think that'll be any issue whatsoever. And he actually at times can contribute from an offensive perspective because he makes contact. He's being a switch hitter. He can match him up if he wants to versus a tough left-hander. So he's not JT by any means, but we think the combination can do a nice, solid job for us.

The combination meaning Garrett Stubbs as well, obviously going to get more playing time. And he's a guy that when he gets his opportunity, he always seems to do something to help the team win. He'll have a much more expanded role. Again, what do you hope to see from Garrett during that time? Well, we know Stubbsy well. I mean, he handles the staff well also.

He works hard. He studies the opposing lineup a great deal. He has lately, from the beginning of the year with a very slow start, has started to contribute from an offensive perspective too. So both of them, they can do something to contribute, which they can. Get a base hit every so often. Stubbsy lays down a lot of bunts, as we know. But he's a good Hesi player. He's a winning player. And that's how we feel about Marchand. Marchand doesn't have that type of speed that Stubbs does, but it's a situation where Stubbs, he knows how to win. He knows our staff. He's been an important part of our club. He'll just play a little bit more, and he's already talked to Rob Thompson. We'll have to be careful

we don't play him too much because you can't run him into ground. But again, we feel comfortable with the combination that they'll do a solid job for us. All right, let's circle back a little bit. This road trip continues, a unique road trip. Obviously, it started in London, a couple of games over there, and back here in the U.S. How did you enjoy the time in London? How did you think that the guys did? Well, I enjoyed it a great deal. There's no question it can be a grueling trip because you're flying out

there. But I think Major League Baseball has learned throughout the years because I was with the club in 2019 when we went there. I think they've ironed out a lot of the little things that they needed to address as far as timing and logistics are concerned. So everything went very smoothly for us when we were there. Trips from the airport to the hotel and turn to the ballpark. You're going to run into some traffic. But I think they did a good job. The facilities were good. They were much better than the last time we were there.

They moved the fences back about seven feet. They softened the turf so the ball just didn't shoot through there at any time. Played more like a normal field. And really one of the biggest factors here was that last time we were there, the temperature was extremely hot. Record-setting type of temperature. So the ball just flew out of there. But this time, it played more like a normal field. So I think it played well. Our guys enjoyed the experience. In fact, I will say it surprised me somewhat because we tried to make it a little easier for a couple of the guys, a la Zach and Zach Wheeler and Aaron Nola, who we knew weren't going to pitch over there if they wanted to stay back. Same thing with Trey Turner and with his rehab situation.

But all of them wanted to be part of it. So it just showed everyone how they viewed the game. And it really is a jewel event and something that they can say they took part of for years to come. You and I talked a little bit before we left for London about what it would be like once you get back and how the guys have to adjust to that now. What's your level of concern with how the guys will have to adjust getting back on, you know, Eastern Standard Time?

Well, I guess there's some, but I will tip my cap. I mean, we got in, we were supposed to get in at 11. We got in a little bit later. When you arrive at 12, 1 o'clock in the morning for us on a normal road trip, that's nothing. And then we were in a position where we had the day off yesterday. I ran into a couple of the players. They said they felt great. I think they adjusted very well. We gave them a lot of advice and sleeping patterns and what to take. It sounds like most of them followed that. I can't say they all did because I talked to all of them,

but our guys are very focused in trying to win. So they look like they're ready to play. I know myself yesterday had a normal day, pretty much went out to a nice dinner, went to bed and woke up today. Like it's just a regular day during the season. Like it was just returning from a road trip. So I think our guys will be ready to go and hopefully we pick up playing like we have been in recent times all right last question Trey Turner you mentioned him but just where is he right now in his progress well I haven't seen him today so I'm not really sure he was making strides again in London there he was moving around felt good we're anxious to get him back here he continues to make the positive strides so I think we'll have a better feel after today after he takes that long trip back,

gets out on his feet, works out in batting practice, and see his. But he's not too far away as long as there's no setbacks I'm concerned. Dave, thanks for your time. Appreciate it. Thanks, Murph. Good to see you. Dave Dombrowski joining us here on the show. We'll take a quick break, but we've got more to come. So stay with us on the Phillies Radio Network.