Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson voiced his opinion after the defensive replacement of his right fielder Nick Castellanos on Friday. It was the first time Castellanos had been defensively replaced since the notorious debacle back in mid-June between him and Thomson, which resulted in the benching of Castellanos the following day.
Thomson had said that the opportunity to make a defensive switch hadn't presented itself since then and that it's dependent on what's best for the team. It's also the all-in mentality that Thomson wants the club to have to succeed as a group. Thomson decided to pull the trigger on it once again on Friday, even knowing there was a possibility of Castellanos disagreeing with the decision.
Rob Thomson tells Nick Castellanos, Phillies to check their egos at the door
Per Anthony SanFilippo of Philly Daily, Castellanos acknowledged that he has made defensive tweaks to be a better outfielder for the Phillies. He actually had a good game on Friday with four put outs and even an outfield assist, but Castellanos didn't seem happy after the game. When asked if it was frustrating to not be in the final frame of the game, his response was just… “Yes.”
Nick Castellanos was asked if it’s frustrating to be replaced defensively in the ninth after having a pretty solid game defensively.
— On Pattison (@OnPattison) August 30, 2025
“Yes.”
(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/GAmsJQKScn
With the Phillies clinging to a 2-1 lead heading into the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves, Castellanos was replaced in right field by Harrison Bader, per MLB.com's Paul Casella. Questions were obviously going to be raised after Thomson had benched Castellanos for the first time since the scuffle back in June. Both sides came to an understanding afterward, but it hadn't happened again until Friday. Even with it happening for the first time in a couple of months, Thomson still prioritizes the team over anything else.
“I think we're all at the point now where we're all in and whatever is best for the team to win a game that night, we're all in,” Thomson said, per SanFilippo. “Check your ego at the door and let's go.”
Most OAA among active outfielders since 2018:
— Paul Casella (@Paul_CasellaMLB) August 30, 2025
1. Harrison Bader: 75
2. Daulton Varsho: 53
Fewest OAA among OF since 2018:
149. Winker: -39
150. Schwarber: -57
151. Nick Castellanos: -74
Subbing for Castellanos makes sense, but is he frustrated? “Yes.”https://t.co/lCVLQi1rue
Phillies fans can appreciate the honesty from their manager and know that his players have to buy into the game plan. This particular Phillies core is heavy on the veteran side, but that doesn't mean that they can't still have a strong managerial presence. It's vital that Thomson believe in his own philosophy, and even more important that his club believe as well. Thomson also deserves some credit, considering he's the franchise's most winning manager with at least 500 games managed, 329-242 (.576 winning percentage).
Castellanos has always had a strange relationship with the media once he got to Philadelphia, and that likely won't change after this weekend. Castellanos has his strong opinions on things, which is fine, but just because it's been the norm for him to play every day doesn't mean it always results in the best possible team on the field.