Nick Castellanos Lets Slip Clear Discontent Over Phillies Manager’s Benching Decision After 250th Home Run

For Nick Castellanos, “communication over the years has been questionable” with manager Rob Thomson. Back in mid-June, he was benched for a game against the Marlins. Apparently, he said something inappropriate to Thomson when he pulled him out in a defense game. Now, Castellanos is no longer the Phillies’ everyday player and has been sharing time in right field with Max Kepler. And then, on a night that should have been all about his 250th home run, he had to answer some awkward questions.

During the eighth inning of the Phillies’ 8-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, Nick Castellanos hit his 250th career home run. He followed it up with a run-scoring single in the ninth. It marked the first time in Castellanos’ career that he had two or more RBIs in a matchup coming off the bench. And so, he was asked if he’s been preparing any differently now than before.

“I’m doing a lot less, that’s for sure. I really don’t know. So, the first time I’m here, I’m just trying to just take it in stride and flow with it, I guess.” It’s certainly not what Castellanos wants, but that’s how it’s going to be. Live from Chase Field after the game, he was also asked if this transition has been difficult. To which, he had a blunt answer.

“I wouldn’t say that it’s easy.” Castellanos is lately not on frequent talking terms with Thomson. He plays whenever he’s asked to; he’s benched whenever he’s told to.

Opening up on the most challenging part, he admitted, “I’d probably say just getting that text message with the lineup and not seeing your name in it.” Yet, Castellanos definitely has all the ingredients to change the narrative of his 2025 season.

We can expect that he won’t be starting enough games in the postseason. Still, the way he made his mark on Friday, he will have more such opportunities moving forward.

For now, Nick Castellanos is adjusting to a role he never envisioned. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski also acknowledged that the transition hasn’t been that smooth. Yet, at the end, as he said, the Phillies star accepted the situation professionally.

How can Nick Castellanos turn things around?

As of Friday, Castellanos holds a batting average of .255 with 17 home runs, 69 RBIs, and .710 OPS. As the Phillies move ahead for October, it’s natural to question if Nick Castellanos will be able to fight his way back as an everyday player in the next season. Because 2026 marks the final year of his five-year $100 million deal with Philadelphia.

Dave Dombrowski, who was recently praised by the Phillies owner after the division title win, said, “I won’t get into next year at this point,” while speaking with Phillies Nation. But Dombrowski also added, “Nick is still a threat when he comes to the plate. He’s been a good offensive player, particularly against left-handed pitching. It looks like he’s handled the situation well for us.”

For three years, he has been a starter in all 34 postseason games for the team. He only briefly struggled at the plate in 2022. But the following year, he shifted the narrative by hitting four home runs in the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves. In fact, when the Phillies surrendered to the New York Mets last season in the NLDS, Nick Castellanos was their most reliable hitter.

That stretch of his dominance cannot be overlooked. And now, it’s time to watch how his postseason runs…