Phillies' Realmuto: I won't let 'Canada tell me what I do and don't put in my body'

Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto said he won't let Canada's restrictions on unvaccinated travelers change his stance on the COVID-19 vaccine.

"I'm a healthy 31-year-old professional athlete," Realmuto said Monday, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer's Scott Lauber. "I'm not going to let Canada tell me what I do and don't put in my body."

Realmuto, who won't play against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Tuesday and Wednesday after being placed on the restricted list, called the vaccination issue an "extremely unfortunate situation."

The three-time All-Star added that he consulted doctors before deciding not to get the shot.

Realmuto will forfeit close to $260,000, which he called "a little bit of money," by not playing in Toronto, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic.

"It's just not worth it," the 31-year-old said.

Realmuto signed a five-year, $115.5-million contract with the Phillies in January 2021.

Alec Bohm, Aaron Nola, and Kyle Gibson will also miss the series after landing on the restricted list.