Realmuto's return to bigs on hold for Double-A playoffs

MIAMI -- Catcher J.T. Realmuto's return to the Marlins has been put on hold for a while longer. His Double-A Jacksonville Suns clinched their first playoff berth since 2010 with a win over the Mobile Baybears on Monday, and Realmuto will stay with the team for the duration of its postseason run.

Although having a third catcher among their September callups is high on Miami's list of priorities, the club believes going through the playoff experience will be more beneficial to Realmuto than playing as a backup in the big leagues.

"I think the more times you get into those situations, in that environment, the better off you are when you come here," Miami manager Mike Redmond said. "It's so different -- the pressure, the excitement. It's all part of the learning process. You have to learn how to play in the playoffs, not just learn how to be successful in the big leagues."

Realmuto, the Marlins' No. 7 prospect hit .299 with eight homers and 62 RBIs in 97 games with the Suns this year. Realmuto got the chance to fill in at the Major League level when Jarrod Saltalamacchia went down with a concussion in June, and he was recalled again in July, although he didn't play. In seven games for the Marlins, he went 4-for-20 with five RBIs.