Nick Castellanos, the Philadelphia Phillies outfielder, was benched by manager Rob Thomson on Tuesday due to an “inappropriate comment” he made after being substituted for a defensive replacement the previous day. This decision ended Castellanos’ impressive streak of 236 consecutive starts.
Thomson commented on Castellanos’ emotional nature, emphasizing his love for the game and desire to be on the field. “One thing about Nick is that he is very emotional. He loves to play. I just thought last night he made an inappropriate comment after he came out,” Thomson stated before the game against Miami.
In Monday’s game against the Marlins, Castellanos performed well, notching a single in four at-bats before being replaced by Johan Rojas in the bottom of the eighth inning. Max Kepler took over right field duties on Tuesday night.
Currently, the 33-year-old Castellanos is in his fourth season with the Phillies, boasting a batting average of .278 along with seven home runs and 36 RBIs. His connections to South Florida run deep, as he often has many family members and friends cheering him on during games against the Marlins.
With the Phillies looking to strengthen their lineup, it remains to be seen how this situation will play out in future games. Castellanos’ talent and experience could still play a crucial role as the season progresses.