Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos was benched for Tuesday's game against the Miami Marlins following an "inappropriate comment" made after being removed from Monday's game, according to Phillies manager Rob Thomson. Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reported the news.
This marks the first time Castellanos has been out of the starting lineup since September of 2023, ending a streak of 236 consecutive regular season starts. The Phillies will field an outfield of Brandon Marsh, Johan Rojas, and Max Kepler in his absence.
While the specific nature of the comment remains undisclosed, it appears the benching is a one-game disciplinary measure. Castellanos has been a key part of the Phillies' lineup, and his absence, even for a single game, is notable.
Castellanos' recent performance has been a mix of highs and lows. Recent headlines highlight both impressive feats, such as hitting a grand slam and slugging his sixth home run, as well as consistent production, including a five-hit performance in a doubleheader and getting on base three times in another game. His first triple of the season was also a highlight.
Phillies fans will be watching to see how Castellanos responds to this situation and if he can quickly return to form after serving his one-game benching. The Phillies are hoping this incident won't disrupt their momentum as they continue their season.