J.T. avoids concussion after foul balls to mask
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PHILADELPHIA -- J.T. Realmuto and the Phillies got fortunate news on Thursday, when tests revealed he did not suffer a concussion on Wednesday.
It means Realmuto avoided the seven-day concussion injured list. He was available to play in Thursday’s series finale against the Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park, although he did not start.
Realmuto left Wednesday night’s 8-2 loss against the Dodgers after he took foul balls off his mask on a pair of 2-2 pitches to Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy. Realmuto needed a few moments to gather himself after the first one. The second one knocked off his mask. Phillies manager Joe Girardi and assistant athletic trainer Shawn Fcasni immediately visited Realmuto at home plate. Realmuto finished the top of the inning, but catcher Andrew Knapp hit for Realmuto in the bottom of the first.
“You take a couple [balls] back to back like that, it’s certainly scary,” Phillies general manager Sam Fuld said. “Luckily, he’s got a clean history, at least documented and diagnosed, so certainly we’re really encouraged by the news. We’re really happy that he’s symptom-free this morning.”
If something happened to Knapp on Wednesday, Luke Williams would have been the emergency catcher.