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Phillies’ Nick Castellanos Speaks Out on Benching

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nelson Hubbell | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 1:05 PM ET

In a 5-2 win over the Miami Marlins on Monday, Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson pulled Nick Castellanos out of right field in the 8th inning for defensive reasons.

According to The Athletic's Charlotte Varnes, Castellanos "spoke his mind" when he was taken out, and Thomson told the right fielder that he had crossed a line. Since then, Thomson and Castellanos have both said they put the incident behind them.

"We’re two grown men that show up every day for work with a common goal of winning a World Series,” Castellanos said. “Emotions drive people, especially passionate people. To think that there’s going to be eight months of consistently being together and not butting heads at all — it probably doesn’t happen, right?”

Castellanos, who Varnes says is statistically one of the worst outfielders in MLB, ranking dead last in outs above average and defensive runs saves, went on to make a crucial catch for the final out of the ninth inning against the Marlins on Wednesday.

With two runners on and two out in a 4-2 ballgame, Castellanos tracked down a fly ball that likely would have tied the game. Thomson's response showed the maturity and wisdom that have helped keep him coaching in MLB for nearly 20 years.

"It’s an amazing game, isn’t it?” Thomson said. “I’m so happy for him."

The 33-year-old Castellanos has a .277 batting average this season, with seven home runs and 38 RBIs. He served as a designated hitter a few different times this season, which could become a more common occurrence as Thomson looks for improvement on defense.

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

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