J.T. Realmuto is OK.

His left knee is bruised and sore after a foul ball struck him in Tuesday night’s victory over the Nationals at Nationals Park. But Phillies manager Joe Girardi said Wednesday afternoon that Realmuto will not be placed on the 10-day injured list. Instead, he is day to day.

Realmuto did not start Wednesday night against Washington, but Girardi said the two-time All-Star might be available off the bench to hit or catch, if needed.

“I hope, yeah,” Girardi said. “We just thought it was best that we give him today off.”

Realmuto is batting .314 with four home runs, 16 RBIs and a .938 OPS in 33 games. Andrew Knapp started in Realmuto’s place. And, if anybody is wondering, Scott Kingery is the Phillies’ emergency catcher.

Howard continues to build in Triple-A
Top prospect Spencer Howard pitched three hitless innings Tuesday with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He struck out three and walked one against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Howard is the No. 33 overall prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. He has allowed only one hit over five scoreless innings in two starts. He is being built up to potentially join the Phillies’ rotation at some point, although he will not be turned loose like a traditional starter since the organization has him on an innings limit.

Howard has thrown 44 and 40 pitches in his first two starts, respectively. That number should increase over time.

“It’s only the second time through the rotation,” Girardi said. “We’ll slowly build him up and try to keep him going as a starter.”

Brogdon flashes his fastball
Right-hander Connor Brogdon pitched a clean inning Tuesday, striking out one batter. After not allowing a run in 6 2/3 innings in his first six appearances this season, Brogdon had allowed 10 runs in six innings over his next eight appearances prior to Tuesday.

His fastball averaged 97.2 mph on Tuesday. It touched 98.4 mph, which is the hardest he has thrown in the big leagues.

His fastball averaged 95.9 mph in his first 14 appearances.

“He’s been a little bit scattered with it,” Girardi said about Brogdon’s fastball. “I think it’s kind of why he’s gone to his other stuff. But when he has all three pitches -- his fastball, cutter and changeup -- he’s a really good weapon for us. It was good to see last night.”

Injury updates
• Right-hander Archie Bradley threw a perfect inning in 10 pitches in his first rehab appearance Wednesday with Lehigh Valley. He had not pitched since April 10 because of a strained left oblique. He could make another rehab appearance Saturday before rejoining the bullpen when the Phillies return home Tuesday to face the Marlins.

• Girardi said left-hander JoJo Romero has not decided what his next step will be after he underwent further examinations on his sprained left elbow. Asked if the reliever could need a surgical procedure, Girardi simply said, “I don’t have anything for you yet.”

• Roman Quinn (cut right index finger) is hitting and could get at-bats as early as Friday. He could rejoin the team shortly after that. Matt Joyce (strained right calf) is rehabbing in Clearwater, Fla. The Phillies will see him on Friday, when they open a three-game series against the Blue Jays in Dunedin.