It was a moment that silenced the dugout and had Philadelphia Phillies fans holding their breath. Late in Wednesday night’s matchup, J.T. Realmuto, the defensive anchor and heart of Philadelphia’s roster, took a foul ball in a painful spot and exited with visible discomfort. A hush fell over the stadium as trainers helped the All-Star catcher off the field. For a team with postseason aspirations, the image of Realmuto limping away triggered real concern.

No matter the time of year, losing a player of Realmuto’s caliber is disruptive. Known for his ability to control the game from behind the plate, any extended absence would leave a significant void. The Phillies are flying high in the National League, but even brief instability at the catcher position can rattle a contender’s rhythm.

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