Rob Thomson is offering a public reaction this week to Nick Castellanos’ bombshell revelation.
The Philadelphia Phillies formally parted ways with their veteran outfielder Castellanos on Thursday by releasing him from their roster. In response to the news, Castellanos issued a message of gratitude to the Phillies … and also in the process made the stunning revelation that he brought alcohol into the dugout during a game in June.
Castellanos was upset with the Phillies and their longtime manager Thomson after being removed from a game against the Miami Marlins. In what later became known as the “Miami Incident,” Castellanos brought a bottle of Presidente beer into the team’s dugout.
The Phillies would later bench Castellanos for the next day’s game as well, saying at the time that he had made an inappropriate comment to Thomson.
Speaking with reporters on Friday, Thomson reacted to Castellanos’ revelation.
“I’m proud of him because he owned up to what he did and, hey, we all make mistakes,” Thomson said of Castellanos, per ESPN. “Nick had helped us out in a lot of ways here. He’s had some big hits and big plays and helped us win a lot ballgames. So I do, I wish him all the best.”
The 33-year-old Castellanos was an All-Star with the Phillies in 2023 as well as a pivotal member of their 2022 NL Pennant-winning team. But he was a negative WAR player last year, batting .250 with 17 home runs and 72 RBIs over 147 total games.
We learned earlier this week that Castellanos had been banished by the Phillies even before his official release. Now the Phillies are eating the majority of his $20 million contract for next season, leaving Castellanos free to sign with any team for the $780,000 MLB minimum salary, though he may have a tough time finding a new home.