As someone who played in all 162 games last season, adapting to a lesser playtime is challenging. To top it all off, being in a strained relationship with the manager only deepens the rift. Since Rob Thomson took over the Phillies in June 2022, communication with his players has been known to be one of his strengths. So, when Nick Castellanos admitted that communication “over the years has been questionable” with the manager, it didn’t sit well — neither with the manager himself, who clapped back at the remark the next day.

After hitting his 250th home run, live from Chase Field, Nick Castellanos explained why there has been a lack of communication between him and Thomson: “It’s just been times where things have been said. And then over the course of years, I’ll have expectations because I’ll latch onto what’s being said. And then actions will be different.”

Thomson heard all of Castellanos’ comments about ‘communication,’ and he was asked on Saturday afternoon how he views his relationship with the 33-year-old. He said while speaking with Phillies Nation’s Destiny Lugardo: “As far as the communication part of it, if—not only Nick, but if anybody else in that clubhouse doesn’t think that I’m communicating enough with them, I’m probably not. I’ve got to do a better job. It’s just being accountable.”

Thomson was pretty candid about it. It wasn’t surprising to him that Castellanos feels that way. Castellanos was benched in Miami in June for saying something offensive to Thomson. And as many believe, the entire coldness between the two stemmed from there.

Further, Thomson added, “There are two ways of communicating, and that door is always open.” As he said that, he also pointed at the door. “I can’t tell the future. I’m not a mind reader. I urge players. I want players to come in here and tell me what’s on their mind. But yeah, I obviously have to do a better job.” Before taking accountability to make it right, he made it known that it’s not up to him that some players feel that way.

Beyond the rift, Nick Castellanos is still a team-first guy who has time and again admitted his goal of helping his team win the World Series. The netizens have judged their rift endlessly, especially after Castellanos’ controversial remarks. And now, Thomson’s statements have only added to the fire. However, in the midst of all this, Castellanos’ wife made a plea.

Nick Castellanos’ wife defends her husband amidst the controversy

The Philadelphia Phillies won the series opener 8-2 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. A big credit goes to Nick Castellanos for his eighth-inning 250th home run and run-scoring single in the ninth. In Saturday’s game, however, the Phillies lost 3-4 to the Diamondbacks.

More than the game, it’s the rift between Thomson and Castellanos that has been talked about the most. Since some fans criticized Castellanos for his cold behavior, his wife, Jess Castellanos, took the matter into her own hands.

“I know everyone wants to find a problem with Nick or bait him into a problem but it’s time to get over it. Focus on the postseason and winning baseball games and stop crying about the pieces you have to get the job done and root for them to do well instead,” she wrote on X. 2025 happens to be one of the best chances for the Phillies to secure the World Series title. By 2026, most players could leave in free agency. And, well, others aren’t getting any younger. It might be the only chance for the team to complete Bryce Harper’s World Series dream.

Plus, the club is definitely going to need Castellanos next month, especially when going against the left-handed pitchers. While it’s certain that the Phillies are going to make the most of Nick Castellanos in the postseason, it’s worth questioning if they will do it next season, too.

The thing is, next season will be his last year of his five-year, $100 million deal with Philadelphia. Do you think this rift could affect his last season with the team?