Phillies Release Castellanos After Admitting to Bringing Beer into Dugout

The Philadelphia Phillies have officially released outfielder Nick Castellanos, following unsuccessful trade negotiations. The announcement came on Thursday, prior to the team’s upcoming full-squad workouts at spring training.

Castellanos’ Controversial Bench Incident

Castellanos faced significant scrutiny last season when he admitted to bringing beer into the dugout during a game. This action led to his benching, an incident that Phillies manager Rob Thomson deemed inappropriate.

In a hand-written note shared on social media, Castellanos described the events leading up to his benching in Miami. He stated that after being removed from the game, he brought beer into the dugout and expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s rules. While his teammates confiscated the beer before he could consume it, he later had a candid discussion with Thomson and Dave Dombrowski, the team’s president of baseball operations.

Communication Issues with Management

During this conversation, Castellanos acknowledged the challenges in his communication with Thomson, labeling it as “questionable” at times. He ultimately apologized for allowing his emotions to interfere with his professionalism, but was subsequently benched in the next game as a disciplinary measure.

Reflecting on Last Season’s Performance

Last season, Castellanos recorded a batting average of .250, contributing 17 home runs and 72 RBIs over 147 games, helping the Phillies reach the National League Championship series. He is poised to turn 34 on March 4 and was in the final year of a significant five-year, $100 million contract.

Future of the Phillies’ Outfield

With Castellanos now off the roster, the Phillies are looking to Adolis García to step into the right field position. García joined the team in December with a one-year contract worth $10 million. The Phillies aim to strengthen their lineup as they prepare for the upcoming season.

• Castellanos’ 2022 Season Stats:
• Batting Average: .250
• Home Runs: 17
• RBIs: 72
• Games Played: 147

The Phillies’ decision to release Castellanos marks a significant change in their roster dynamics as they work towards a successful 2023 campaign.