One of the Phillies’ starting outfielders sat out Thursday’s game against the San Francisco Giants, and another left the game early. Fortunately, neither is due to a serious injury.
Manager Rob Thomson told reporters after the game that right fielder Nick Castellanos was removed for a “tight left hip flexor” that aggrivated him while running out a ground ball.
“He felt it, then he went out to play defense, and then he came in and said it tightened up,” Thomson told Devan Kaney of Sports Radio 94.1 WIP. “He should be good to go tomorrow.”
The other man in question is center fielder Brandon Marsh, who was ruled out a few hours before first pitch with an apparent knee issue. Thomson likewise said he isn’t concerned with it.
“It’s just a strain behind the knee,” Thomson said. “He’s gonna be day-to-day. I don’t think it’s gonna be an I.L. situation.”
It’s great news considering Castellanos has been the Phillies’ hottest bat in this early stage of the season. Casty is batting .304 with three home runs, five doubles, and 12 RBI through the first 19 games.
It also means that his streak of consecutive games played, dating all the way back to 2023, should continue. Nick was one of only four players to start all 162 games last season.
Nick Castellanos (left) and Brandon Marsh have shared the outfield over 250 times with the Phillies.
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Marsh is having opposite levels of success this season. Before the near-injury, Brandon went 31 straight at-bats without recording a hit. His average sits at an unbearably low .095 because of it, yet his defense and the lack of other dependable outfield options means he will probably get more opportunities once cleared.
Johan Rojas is the only other proven center fielder on the roster, so he should keep starting for Marsh in the meantime.
The Phils take on the Miami Marlins this weekend in a three-game series. Friday’s contest begins at 6:45, with potential trade candidate Sandy Alcantara on the mound for the Fish.
