Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson has finally hinted at what many already suspected — Nick Castellanos is no longer a guaranteed everyday starter in right field. While Thomson stopped short of using the term “platoon,” his comments before Thursday’s game against the Brewers made the situation clear.
With Milwaukee right-hander Freddy Peralta on the mound, Thomson opted for a lineup full of left-handed hitters, including Brandon Marsh in left and Max Kepler in right, leaving Castellanos on the bench for the second time in three games. It’s now the third time in five games against righties that Castellanos has been benched.
Thomson said, “It looks that way,” when asked if right field had become a platoon role, adding that he’s going to put out the best possible lineup to win on any given day.
Castellanos has struggled both at the plate and in the field. He hit just .180 in August with a .509 OPS and a high strikeout rate. His recent performance has left little justification for everyday starts, especially when players like Harrison Bader are excelling defensively and offensively.
Earlier this season, Castellanos was visibly unhappy after being replaced late in games, and now that’s likely to become a regular occurrence when he does start. Unless his bat heats up quickly, he may find himself in a limited role as the Phillies look to optimize their lineup for the postseason push.