MLB.com's Todd Zolecki writes that Philadelphia Phillies catcher Rafael Marchan is perceived as the favorite for backup duties behind starter J.T. Realmuto over Garrett Stubbs, who has been the backup for the last three years. Marchan is out of minor-league options, and the Phillies would prefer to preserve their depth at the position. However, the 25-year-old backstop has a long injury history and isn't a lock to make the Opening Day roster out of spring training. The Venezuelan catcher hits from both sides of the plate and has played in 40 big-league games since 2020, hitting .279 (31-for-111) with five homers and 13 RBI. Marchan hasn't really done anything to impress offensively in his four years at Triple-A, though, and he'd probably be more attractive from a fantasy perspective if he had a clearer path to playing time in the majors with another organization.

Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm (neck) and catcher Rafael Marchan (back) are both being held out of action due to their respective injuries, manager Rob Thomson told Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Bohm is dealing with neck spasms and won't play this weekend. It doesn't sound like this injury is too serious, and the talented infielder should be back in the mix soon. There's less clarity on Marchan, who is merely "being held out of action for now," according to Gelb. Marchan hasn't played in the majors since 2021, but he slashed .297/.391/.440 with an 11.6 BB% and 9.7 K% through 51 games at Triple-A last year.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies placed catcher J.T. Realmuto on the COVID-19-related injured list Thursday and recalled catcher Rafael Marchan from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Realmuto, who left Tuesday’s game against the Washington Nationals after taking a foul ball off his left knee, missed Wednesday’s game because of bruising and soreness. Realmuto is hitting .314 with four homers and 16 RBIs. The two-time All-Star is in the first season of a five-year, $115.5 million deal. A player goes on the COVID-19 IL by testing positive himself or for contract-tracing purposes after possibly being exposed to someone who tested positive. Marchan made his major league debut last season, hitting .500 (4 for 8) with a homer and three RBIs. The 22-year-old is hitting .250 in six games at Lehigh Valley this season. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports