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Nick Castellanos gets real about coming off bench for Phillies

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Dan Benton | Last updated Sep 20, 2025 9:29 AM ET

Nick Castellanos has had an impressive 13-year MLB career, but the winds of change are blowing in Philadelphia.

On June 17, Castellanos was held out of the lineup after making an “inappropriate” comment about Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson following a defensive substitution. That snapped a streak of 236 consecutive games started for Castellanos, which was the second-longest active streak in baseball.

Although Castellanos later regained his starting role, it was short-lived.

In August, Thomson again made a change, this time pairing Castellanos in a platoon role with Max Kepler, who is stronger against right-handed pitchers.

On Friday night, during an 8-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, Castellanos was subbed into the game and promptly hit the 250th home run of his career. Following the victory, the two-time All-Star celebrated the career milestone while also expressing frustration and disappointment over his current role.

nick castellanos stuns in postgame interview after hitting his 250th career home run!! pic.twitter.com/D74nurLRQN
— cam ! (@aokstott) September 20, 2025

“I’m doing a lot less, that’s for sure. I really don’t know. It’s the first time I’m here. I’m just trying to take it in stride and flow with it, I guess,” Castellanos said when asked about adjusting to a reduced role. “I wouldn’t say that it’s easy.”

And the hardest part?

“I’d probably say, just getting that text message with the lineup and not seeing your name in it,” he said.

Despite the win and the milestone, it was apparent throughout the awkward interview that Castellanos is frustrated and just going through the motions. He’s trying to avoid making waves en route to the playoffs, but he seems like a man who has a lot he’d like to get off his chest.

Castellanos has one year remaining on his Phillies contract.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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