ST. LOUIS — J.T. Realmuto took a bouncing curveball to the throat with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning Tuesday night and exited the Phillies' game against the Cardinals after being tended to for several minutes.
Zack Wheeler threw an 0-1 hook to Cardinals leadoff man Brendan Donovan and the pitch bounced and hit Realmuto in an unprotected area just above his right collarbone and below his mask.
He remained on his knees in pain for several minutes as the Phillies' training staff examined him, then he walked off the field and into the visiting clubhouse.
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"Never want to see that," Wheeler said. "I don't want to divulge too much because I'll leave that for him to do. I feel bad for spiking that and him having to come out of the game. Hopefully, he'll be all right and can get back in there."
Realmuto was diagnosed with a neck contusion. Manager Rob Thomson said the catcher passed a concussion test.
"He started getting a little headache and just didn't look normal so we got him out," Thomson said. "We'll check him tomorrow, doesn't look like there's any broken bones or anything."
Realmuto was not available after the game for comment. He's a true gamer so he must have been in considerable pain. He rarely wants to sit or exit and has caught 305 more innings than any catcher in baseball since 2021.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies' series finale Wednesday in St. Louis is at 1:15 p.m. ET, a short turnaround that might force Realmuto to sit.
"Whenever you see a guy stumble, gets a ball to the throat, it's never good," Kyle Schwarber said. "I think everything's checking out all right so far but he's such an important part of the team and a tough guy. For him to come off the field … hopefully he comes in tomorrow and everything feels great. Such an important part of the team where you don't want to risk anything."