Three-time MLB All-Star catcher JT Realmuto defended his decision to miss a two-game series in Toronto, as he and three other Phillies players will be unable to enter Canada due to their vaccination status.
Realmuto, along with infielder Alec Bohm, and pitchers Aaron Nola and Kyle Gibson were placed on the restricted list for the series, meaning they will not be paid over the Toronto series.
"It's an extremely unfortunate situation, obviously, my teammates know how I feel about them and how bad I want to be out there with them, it's just not unfortunate that I'm not able to make the trip," said Realmuto to reporters.
"I'm a healthy 31-year-old professional athlete, I just didn't feel the need to get it. I've had COVID a couple of times with super-mild symptoms back when it first came out and when it came time to decide whether I needed a vaccine or not, I talked to a couple of doctors that I knew and told them my story and really decided I didn't think I needed it and I wasn't going to take it just because I was told to, basically," Realmuto added.
"I'm not going to let Canada tell me what I do and don't put in my body for a little bit of money, it's not worth it," he said.
Realmuto will not be paid $262,363, Nola $184,835. Gibson $76,923, and Bohm $7,857.
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