Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto has a fractured right thumb and might not be ready to rejoin the ballclub for Opening Day, manager Joe Girardi told reporters, including Scott Lauber, on Thursday. The fracture happened six days ago, according to Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Girardi told reporters that the fracture is at the base of Realmuto’s throwing thumb and it’ll be immobilized for two weeks before the team doctors re-evaluate. The manager said they are “hopeful” Realmuto will be in the opening day starting lineup, giving us a good idea of a possible timetable for his return. The Phillies open the season Thursday, April 1 at home against the Braves.

Catcher J.T. Realmuto and the Philadelphia Phillies are in agreement on a five-year, $115.5 million contract, sources confirmed to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

The 29-year-old Realmuto continues to be one of the best all-around catchers in the majors, hitting .266 with 11 homers and 32 RBIs with the Philadelphia Phillies during the pandemic-shortened season. He did not accept an $18.9 million, one-year qualifying offer in favor of searching for a longer-term deal on the free-agent market.

Since 2018, Realmuto leads all MLB catchers in WAR (10.1), RBI (189), stolen bases (16) and is second in slugging percentage (.489) and OPS (.825). His 57 home runs during that span ranks third among MLB catchers.