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5h ago

Phillies Lean on Bader for Late-Game Defense as Castellanos Voices Frustration

Harrison Bader’s arrival prompted an outfield rotation that reduced Nick Castellanos’ role to support Rob Thomson’s late-inning defense focus.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 24: Bryson Stott #5 of the Philadelphia Phillies high-fives Nick Castellanos #8 after they both scored in the second inning during a game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on August 24, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 22: Nick Castellanos #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies bats against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on August 22, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Nationals defeated the Phillies 5-4. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 27: Adolis García #53 of the Texas Rangers celebrates as he runs the bases on his three run home run during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Field on August 27, 2025 in Arlington, Texas.
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Overview

  • Rob Thomson replaced Nick Castellanos with Harrison Bader for the ninth inning of Friday’s 2-1 win over the Braves, calling Bader the club’s best defender and framing the move as a team-first decision.
  • Castellanos acknowledged the change is a big adjustment and said it is frustrating, adding that first-base coach Paco Figueroa informed him of the substitution rather than the manager.
  • Since the trade deadline, Philadelphia has rotated five outfielders, with Bader hitting .313 and anchoring late-game alignments alongside Brandon Marsh and Max Kepler.
  • Castellanos’ season has weighed on his playing time, with a .253/.294/.406 line and roughly a .700 OPS, plus bottom-tier defensive metrics (about -12 OAA and -13 DRS).
  • Media and fans amplified debate over the move and floated offseason trade ideas, including a FanSided proposal for Adolis García, though the Phillies have announced no roster changes.