Phillies pull Nick Castellanos for defense, changing course with frustrated outfielder

PHILADELPHIA — Phillies manager Rob Thomson changed course from how he had operated for two months when he removed right fielder Nick Castellanos for defense in the top of the ninth inning on Friday night.

Castellanos sat on Thursday night, then played over Harrison Bader, the club’s hottest outfielder and top defensive center fielder, on Friday. The right-handed-hitting Castellanos has four career home runs off Braves starter Bryce Elder, so Thomson gave him the nod. But after he drew a walk one batter before the end of the eighth, the Phillies subbed Castellanos out for the final three outs.

“He makes near the last out in the eighth inning, so we defended,” Thomson said. “We put Bader in, because he’s the best defender we got.”

With Bader taking over in center field, Max Kepler moving from left field to right field and Brandon Marsh sliding from center field to left, the Phillies had their best possible outfield alignment set up as closer Jhoan Duran finished off a 2-1 win at Citizens Bank Park.

The move made sense in a tight game against a division opponent, but it was magnified after what transpired earlier in the season.

On June 16, Thomson replaced Castellanos for defense in the final innings of a game. The outfielder, displeased with the decision, made an “inappropriate comment” to the manager and was benched the next day. Prior to Friday night, Thomson had not taken Castellanos out of a tight game for defense since that incident.

“Because that situation hasn’t come up, to tell you the truth,” Thomson said.

Asked if coming out of the game was something Castellanos was open to, Thomson said that his entire team is taking a selfless approach during this latter part of the season.

“I think we’re all at the point now where we’re all-in,” Thomson said, “and whatever is best for the team to win a game that night, we’re all-in. Check your ego at the door, and let’s go.”

Castellanos acknowledged that viewing the situation from a team perspective with an end goal in mind is helpful, but not being in the game for the ninth inning was frustrating. He made some plays in the field on Friday and threw a runner out at home plate in a crucial moment during the fifth inning before Bader entered in his place.

When Thomson made the decision, he did not inform Castellanos directly, the outfielder said. Instead, first-base coach Paco Figueroa, who also coaches the club’s outfielders and works closely with Castellanos before games, told him.

“There was no conversation (with Thomson),” Castellanos said. “Paco was the one that told me.”

Castellanos started in all 162 games last season, and the benching in June ended his streak of games played. With a .700 OPS in 128 games this year after his 0-for-3 performance on Friday, he’s seen some of his playing time diminish since the trade deadline as the Phillies have rolled out more of a rotation in the outfield.

How much of an adjustment has it been for him to not know how much or whether he’ll play?

“Yeah, it’s a big adjustment,” Castellanos said.

Has it been difficult to make that adjustment?

“Yes,” Castellanos said.

How does he deal with that difficulty?

“The best I can,” Castellanos said.

Castellanos did not hide his frustrations. But as the numbers bear out, his production at the plate has been below league average (90 OPS+ entering Friday) and his defense has been some of the worst in the majors, ranking last among outfielders in outs above average (-12 entering Friday) and third worst among outfielders in defensive runs saved (-13 entering Friday). The Phillies have tested out other arrangements amid his struggles.

It’s all part of the rotation. Even Bader, who’s been the team’s best outfielder since joining Philadelphia at the trade deadline, has ended up sitting sometimes. The Phillies are looking to win a World Series, and they will seek out advantages and try different things in their pursuit.

That will take some sacrifices from the players on the roster. In Thomson’s view, it requires egos to be left at the door.