A lot goes into being a big-league manager.
It entails more than simply filling out the lineup card and making strategic decisions during the game.
Managing the personalities of the 26 players in the clubhouse is a big part of the job description. It’s a challenge. And it’s something that Rob Thomson prioritizes.
And right now, one of Thomson’s veteran players isn’t particularly happy with his role.
Nick Castellanos had been the Phillies’ everyday right fielder since he signed with the club prior to the 2022 season. Castellanos played all 162 games last year.
But for the last month he’s been part of the team’s outfield rotation. He didn’t play in three of the previous eight games before Friday’s game against the Braves, during which he was removed after the eighth inning for defensive purposes.
Afterward, Castellanos said it’s been a “big adjustment” not playing every day.
How is he dealing with that adjustment?
“The best I can,” Castellanos answered.
Thomson discussed Castellanos’ frustration before Saturday’s game against Atlanta.
“Nick just wants to play,” Thomson said. “That’s it. I think most guys get frustrated when they don’t play. Because they want to play. And that’s normal.”
Following Friday’s win, Thomson mentioned everyone on the team being “all in” on doing whatever it takes to win at this point of the season. “Check your ego at the door and let’s go,” Thomson said.
Thomson was asked Saturday if that is something Castellanos is capable of doing.
“Absolutely,” Thomson said. “We don’t need to make a big deal out of this. He’s frustrated because he wants to play and that’s it. I understand that. I wouldn’t respect a guy if he wanted to come out of the game.”
Friday night was the first time Castellanos was removed from a game for defensive purposes since June 16 in Miami. He wasn’t happy with Thomson’s decision that night and made what the manager described as an “inappropriate” comment. Castellanos was benched for the following game.
Castellanos mentioned that it was first base and outfield coach Paco Figueroa — not Thomson — who told him that he was coming out of Friday’s game.
Thomson was asked why he didn’t deliver the news to Castellanos himself.
“Because he was on base (when the bottom of the eighth inning ended),” Thomson said. “I wasn’t going to run out there (on the field). I couldn’t tell him before he went to the plate. If he hits a home run, I probably don’t take him out of the game.”
But with the Phillies leading by just one run entering the ninth inning, Thomson decided to put his three best defensive outfielders on the field.
Castellanos — who is hitting .197 with a .554 OPS in 33 games since the All-Star break — was in the Phillies’ lineup Saturday against Atlanta left-hander Chris Sale.