Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos was notably absent from the lineup in Tuesday night’s game against the Miami Marlins due to disciplinary action. Phillies manager Rob Thomson confirmed the decision, citing an “inappropriate comment” made by Castellanos following his removal from Monday’s game.
While Thomson did not elaborate on the exact nature of the remark, he emphasized that Castellanos’ emotional approach to the game sometimes leads to conflict, stating, “He loves to play every inning of every game… I just thought last night he made an inappropriate comment.”
Castellanos’ Streak Ends at 236 After Comment on Eighth-Inning Defensive Substitution
With Tuesday’s benching, Castellanos saw his streak of consecutive games played come to an end at 236. The last time he missed a game for the Phillies was on September 30, 2023. The streak highlighted his consistency and durability, making his absence particularly noteworthy. The decision to bench him underscores the seriousness with which the organization is treating the incident, even at the cost of breaking a significant personal milestone.
Nick Castellanos (MLB)The issue arose during Monday’s game when Castellanos was substituted in the eighth inning for defensive purposes. Johan Rojas entered as the center fielder, while Max Kepler moved from center to take over right field. This strategic shift, though routine in nature, apparently did not sit well with Castellanos. His dissatisfaction was expressed in a comment that Thomson considered crossing the line, prompting the disciplinary measure.
Castellanos Accepts Benching But Expresses Frustration Over Manager’s Decision and Comment
In his own words, Castellanos acknowledged the situation, telling the Philadelphia Inquirer, “I wasn’t happy about it, spoke my mind… He said that I crossed a line. So, my punishment is I’m not playing.” His response reflects a candid acceptance of the consequences, while also hinting at lingering frustration over the incident.
Thomson, for his part, refrained from providing further details, choosing to maintain privacy and professional boundaries regarding the comment.
Despite the controversy, Castellanos has been performing solidly in his fourth season with the Phillies. After signing a five-year, $100 million contract in 2022, he has posted a .278 batting average, along with seven home runs and 36 RBIs so far this season. His contributions on the field remain valuable, making his temporary absence from the lineup both a disciplinary measure and a disruption to the team’s momentum.
