One of the Philadelphia Phillies’ most watched Spring Training battles is over. Rafael Marchan will replace Garrett Stubbs as Philadelphia’s backup catcher on the 2025 Opening Day roster. According to MLB.com’s Today Zolecki, Stubbs is being optioned to Triple-A despite spending the last three seasons in the MLB with Philly.
Garrett Stubbs has been optioned to Triple-A. Rafael Marchan will be the backup.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) March 20, 2025
New Phillies 2025 Catching Duo
PSN’s Shaun Nestor recently provided an update on the battle for the backup catcher spot behind J.T. Realmuto. The 34-year-old catcher is firmly installed as the Phillies’ starting catcher as he enters his seventh season in Philly. When healthy, Realmuto has averaged 126 games per season over the last four seasons. The three-time National League All-Star will play his 700th game in red pinstripes when the Phillies open the season in Washington next week.
Marchan receives his fourth appearance on the MLB roster and his first time along the white chalk of the baselines during Opening Day introductions. The 5-foot-9 catcher impressed during a short stint in Philadelphia last June when he batted .294 over 17 games. He featured a .549 slugging percentage with four doubles and three home runs in 56 MLB plate appearances. In 34 games for Triple-A Lehigh Valley last season, Marchan hit .229 with two doubles and two home runs. The Venezuelan catcher served as the 27th man during the Phillies series in London last season.
Stubbs to Lehigh Valley
Garrett Stubbs was optioned to Triple-A before this afternoon’s spring training contest against Atlanta. Stubbs, 31, has averaged 47 games as the backup in Philadelphia with a .222 battling average over the last three seasons. Stubbs takes a financial hit with the demotion as his contract pays out $450K for time spent in Triple-A and $925K while an active member of the 26-man roster. With the option remaining on his contract, the Phillies can retain the services of their veteran backup catcher as injury protection this season without having to carry Stubbs on the active roster.
Philadelphia acquired Stubbs in a November 2021 trade that sent 22-year-old prospect Logan Cerny with the Houston Astros. An opposing MLB general manager needing a backup catcher could pry the six-year MLB veteran out of the minors by offering a controllable prospect to Phillies GM Dave Dombrowski. Philadelphia opens its 144th season of MLB regular season play in Washington on March 27.
Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
