Nick Castellanos’ Walk-Off Homer Caps Phillies’ Thrilling Comeback

PHILADELPHIA — Two weeks after a brief benching that snapped his National League-leading streak of 236 consecutive starts, Nick Castellanos has flipped the narrative in South Philadelphia and reignited league-wide trade chatter. A clubhouse timeout turns into a hot streak Manager Rob Thomson sat the veteran right-fielder for one game on June 18 after Castellanos “crossed a line” with an outburst over a late-inning substitution, a move the player called “my punishment”. Since returning, Castellanos is slashing .319/.361/.556 with seven homers and 23 RBI in 34 games, raising his season average to .285 and pushing his OPS to .801. Trade rumors refuse to die Multiple league sources confirmed that the Kansas City Royals kicked the tires on Castellanos during the final days before the July 31 deadline, viewing the two-time All-Star as a veteran bat to bolster a young lineup. Philadelphia ultimately held on to the 33-year-old, but with two seasons and roughly $40 million left on his five-year, $100 million contract, executives expect his name to resurface in August waiver discussions. Why the Phillies may still deal from strength • Crowded corners: Bryce Harper is entrenched in right field when he’s not DH-ing, and top prospect Justin Crawford is tearing up Triple-A. • Payroll flexibility: Dave Dombrowski wants room to re-sign Zack Wheeler this winter. • Market demand: Contenders such as the Mariners and Twins are searching for a middle-order right-handed bat with postseason experience. Castellanos’ 2025 by the numbers • Games: 103 (missed only the disciplinary game) • AVG/OBP/SLG: .285/.332/.469 • HR/RBI: 18/64 • Hard-hit rate: 46.7 % (career best) • Defensive runs saved in RF: +3 (tied for eighth among NL outfielders) Tigers series puts skills on display In Friday night’s 7-6 win over Detroit, Castellanos singled on Jack Flaherty’s 95th and final pitch, sparking a four-run comeback that chased the Tigers’ ace and reminded scouts of his gap-to-gap power and knack for late-inning damage. He added a 404-foot homer to dead center the next inning, his 247th career long ball. Clubhouse chemistry mended Teammates say the June incident is “water under the bridge.” Bryson Stott told reporters, “Nick owned it, apologized, and came out swinging — literally.” Thomson echoed that sentiment pregame, praising Castellanos’ “professional response.” What happens next Philadelphia sits 2.5 games behind Atlanta in the NL East and currently holds the second Wild Card. If Dombrowski decides to cash in on Castellanos’ revived value, the front office must believe Johan Rojas and Cristian Pache can handle right field down the stretch. Otherwise, Castellanos will remain the lineup’s ironman, eyeing a third career 30-homer campaign and a return to October spotlight. SEO takeaway With his bat heating up, contract digestible, and postseason pedigree intact, Nick Castellanos is once again one of MLB’s most intriguing late-season storylines — on the field, in the rumor mill, and across every Phillies box score.