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Phillies Will Reportedly DFA Garrett Stubbs
By Luke Arcaini
Published:
The Phillies have informed Garrett Stubbs that he will be designated for assignment, according to Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Stubbs, 33, learned of the decision on Thursday, according to Lauber. The Phillies will have a week to find a trade for Stubbs, and if they cannot, Stubbs reportedly will elect free agency.
It’s the end of a 5-year run for the Phillies’ backup catcher, and only in the city of Philadelphia would the backup catcher be one of the most polarizing players on the team, but here we are.
Stubbs has never produced from the offensive side of the plate like the Phillies would’ve liked, but it’s pretty easy to see why he’s stuck around for so long. Stubbs has formed relationships with pitchers all throughout the organization, and he’s been a key figure in the success of the Phillies pitching staff over the last half decade.
Stubbs worked most notably with Andrew Painter during the 2025 season, when Painter was rehabbing, and throughout the early stages of 2026 when Painter was sent back down to Triple-A.
He hit .212 with a .577 OPS across his five seasons, but made just 11 errors behind the plate. The Phillies must search for a backup catcher this offseason that can play 40-60 games per season. To get the best out of J.T Realmuto at this stage of his career, you’ll have to limit his time. You see teams all around baseball have two catchers that nearly split time. Realmuto is still expected to take down a bulk of the innings behind the plate, but the Phillies need another option.
Rafael Marchan remains on the roster, but the Phillies could look to end that experiment as well. With a lack of catching depth throughout the organization, the Phillies would prefer to keep Marchan in the organization. But it’s pretty clear that the backup catcher in 2027 needs to be a new face.
If there’s one thing Phillies fans learned over the years from Stubbs… he likes to party. But what Phillies fans didn’t always see, was his tireless work with pitchers all down the organization.
Luke Arcaini has been writing about the Phillies for 6 seasons, and is now in his 2nd year covering for Phillies down at Citizens Bank Park for Crossing Broad. Follow him on Twitter @ArcainiLuke