Philadelphia Phillies star hitter Nick Castellanos has sent a message to manager Rob Thomson after his benching.
Entering the season, the plan was for Castellanos to be removed late in close games in favor of Johan Rojas and his stellar defense. However, after being pulled from the game, Castellanos said an inappropriate comment in frustration to Thomson.
After the comment, Thomson decided to bench Castellanos for a game. He returned to the lineup and told his manager it wouldn’t impact their relationship.
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“We’re two grown men that show up for work every day with the common goal of winning a World Series,” Castellanos said. “If everybody just agrees on everything and doesn’t speak their mind, there’s not going to be passion there. Emotions drive people, especially passionate people.
“So to think that there’s going to be eight months of consistently being together and not butting heads at all, that probably doesn’t happen.”
Castellanos could still be removed late in games for defense, which he says isn’t his decision. He’s in the fourth year of his five-year, $100 million deal with the Phillies.
Castellanos is hitting .277 with 7 home runs and 36 RBIs this season. The outfielder is a two-time All-Star and a one-time Silver Slugger Award winner.
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