What reduced role means for Nick Castellanos’ present and future with the Phillies

PHOENIX – Nick Castellanos, as expected, is not in the Phillies’ lineup for Friday’s series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks. 

His role with the Phillies has radically changed over the last month. Once an everyday presence in right field, Castellanos is on the weak side of a platoon with Max Kepler. Numerous developments have led the Phillies to this point. 

Trade deadline acquisition Harrison Bader has been everything the Phillies could hope for and then some, hitting against lefties and righties and playing stellar defense in center field. Playing him on a nearly every day is a no brainer if you’re the Phillies. 

Kepler has also earned the at-bats he’s getting against right-handed pitching in right field. Since the trade deadline, Kepler is batting .274 with an .845 OPS. While his defensive metrics have fallen off this year while mostly playing left field, Kepler has looked more comfortable when manning his natural position. 

And while Castellanos has a .751 OPS over 31 plate appearances in the month of September, it’s clear that with nine games left in the regular season, he has run out of time to earn back everyday at-bats. 

Castellanos, dating back to July 1, has struggled mightily at the plate. His .252 on-base percentage in that time frame is the second-lowest among all major league hitters (min. 200 plate appearances). The Phillies in August were set on platooning in both left and center field, believing that Castellanos would eventually “get hot.” 

The plan has changed. Kepler, against the right-hander Ryne Nelson, is starting in right field. He entered Friday’s game against Arizona with one hit in his last 13 at-bats. The one hit was the home run in Tuesday’s 6-5 win over the Dodgers. 

There is something about the Brandon Marsh, Bader and Kepler outfield. Even the owner of the team agrees. 

“When you pair (Bader) with Kepler and Marsh, you’ve got a really really good defensive outfield,” John Middleton said in the clubhouse on Monday as the Phillies celebrated clinching the National League East. 

There is another thing to consider. As Castellanos recently revealed on Mookie Betts’ podcast, he has been playing with tendinitis in his left knee that stems from an incident while playing right field at Yankee Stadium in July. The Phillies have mentioned it before as a “knee problem” that he has had to manage. They consider him to be healthy. 

It’s not the reason why Castellanos is playing a less. 

“That has more to do with how well the other guys are playing, more than anything,” manager Rob Thomson said.

Barring injury to another outfielder, Castellanos’ reduced role for this season is all but solidified. 

How can Castellanos bounce back and be a pillar in the Phillies’ everyday lineup in 2026, the final year of his five-year, $100 million contract? 

“I won’t get into next year at this point,” president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told Phillies Nation. 

Castellanos, since 2022, has started in all 34 postseason games for the Phillies. He did not hit in 2022, but turned it around a year later with four home runs in the 2023 NLDS against the Atlanta Braves. He was also the Phillies’ best hitter in the 2024 NLDS loss against the Mets. 

Maybe Castellanos has another postseason moment that makes up for some of the second-half struggles, but there will be fewer opportunities. 

“He’s been fine for us,” Dombrowski said. “He hasn’t hit very well recently, but 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.

“I’m sure it’s taken some adjustments, as it’s taken some adjustments for all of those guys. He’s put the team first and I look for him to have a good last week and give us a real threat, particularly against left-handed pitching in the postseason.”