Phillies notes: Thomson on Castellanos, Rojas and Crawford

PHOENIX — Manager Rob Thomson on Saturday addressed Nick Castellanos’ criticism of his communication.

“Communication over the years has been questionable, at least in my experience,” Castellanos said on Friday. “But also, I grew up communicating with somebody like my father, who is very blunt, direct and consistent.” Castellanos declined to say if it’s gotten worse this season, his fourth year of a five-year contract with the Phillies.

Thomson said that the two met on Saturday. He declined to give specifics about the meeting, but did offer this about his overall philosophy on communicating with players. It’s something he relayed to Castellanos as the two talked.

As Thomson sat behind his desk in the visiting manager’s office, he pointed to the door that led to the clubhouse.

“As far as the communication part of it, not only Nick, but if anybody else in that clubhouse doesn’t think I am communicating enough with them, I’m probably not,” Thomson said. “I’ve got to do a better job at it. It’s just being accountable, but there’s two ways of communicating. And that door’s always open. And I’m not a mind reader. I can’t tell the future. So, you know, I urge players — I want players to communicate and tell me what’s on their mind. Obviously, I have to do a better job.”

Castellanos spoke last night about how the two “don’t really talk” often. Thomson over the years has developed a strong reputation amongst his players for his communication style. Castellanos has had a different experience.

“It’s just been times where things have been said,” Castellanos said. “Over the course of the years, I’ll have expectations because I’ll latch on to what’s being said and then actions will be different. And then I’m kind of left, you know, just thinking and what not. Again, like, it is what it is. Come back. Do what I can. At the end of the day, we’re here to win the World Series.”

The Phillies hope the meeting eases any tension there may be between player and manager. Either way, Castellanos will have another chance to contribute starting Sunday — and maybe Saturday if the Phillies use him off the bench again. The Phillies are facing back-to-back left-handed starters on Sunday and on Tuesday against the Marlins.

Notes

• Trea Turner (right hamstring strain) continues to make progress in his rehab back home in Philadelphia. He did arc runs, change of directions and all baseball activities that he has been doing, just with added reps. He could face live pitching as early as Tuesday. The Phillies could summon a minor league pitcher to Philadelphia to face Turner. The team is still aiming for him to return before the end of the regular season.
• Justin Crawford (concussion) is out for the season. The top Phillies outfield prospect hasn’t played in a game since Sept. 4 after colliding with Otto Kemp in the outfield. “Just trying to get that concussion out and get him back to having a normal offseason,” Thomson said.
• Johan Rojas was removed from Friday night’s IronPigs game after his second plate appearance with a quad issue. The Phillies are checking him out. He could be in consideration for a postseason roster spot if healthy.
• Thomson originally planned on resting all of his outfielders at least once during the Arizona series due to the turf, but that has changed. Harrison Bader, who was a triple shy of the cycle in Friday’s game, will also play on Sunday. “I like the way he’s running around,” Thomson said. “He looks fresh. I’m not really too worried about him.”