J.T. Realmuto avoids injury, in good spirits Wednesday NBC Sports Philadelphia [Video]

ST. LOUIS — J.T. Realmuto narrowly avoided a potentially significant injury Tuesday night and was back in the Phillies’ lineup early Wednesday afternoon despite a short turnaround.

Realmuto took a bouncing curveball to the throat in the bottom of the seventh inning of the Phillies’ 3-0 loss Tuesday. He had trouble getting back to his feet and spent several minutes on his knees being examined by Phillies trainers.

The catcher was in good spirits in the Phils’ clubhouse Wednesday morning. He said the ball didn’t hit anything structural in his neck or throat, instead making contact with the right side of his neck above the collarbone. He was tested for a concussion and checked out OK.

The reason why Realmuto initially felt headache symptoms and dizziness, he thinks, is because blood circulation in that area was temporarily cut off after the pitch connected with his neck.

Realmuto is as emblematic …