{"id":169168,"date":"2025-09-20T06:26:06","date_gmt":"2025-09-20T06:26:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/169168\/"},"modified":"2025-09-20T06:26:06","modified_gmt":"2025-09-20T06:26:06","slug":"nick-castellanos-clubs-250th-career-hr-in-phillies-win-as-he-adjusts-to-new-role","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/169168\/","title":{"rendered":"Nick Castellanos clubs 250th career HR in Phillies win as he adjusts to new role"},"content":{"rendered":"

PHOENIX (AP) \u2014 Nick Castellanos had a good night on Friday, hitting his 250th career homer in a big spot to help the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-2<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a sign that the veteran slugger is adjusting to his new role, even if he doesn\u2019t seem quite sure why it\u2019s necessary.<\/p>\n

The two-time All-Star has had fewer at-bats over the past few weeks while struggling through an up-and-down season. A rare highlight came Friday against the D-backs, when he ripped a two-run homer to left<\/a> to give the Phillies a 5-2 lead in the eighth after entering the game as a pinch hitter in the sixth.<\/p>\n

It was his first homer since Aug. 17.<\/p>\n

When asked if he was unhappy in his part-time role, the 33-year-old brushed aside the question.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here, we won a baseball game, I hit my 250th, I have a good relationship with the guys in this clubhouse,\u201d Castellanos said. \u201cI\u2019m here to win. (Owner) John Middleton is paying me money so that I can help the Philadelphia Phillies win a World Series.\u201d<\/p>\n

Castellanos has lost playing time in a crowded outfield that includes Harrison Bader, Brandon Marsh, Max Kepler and Weston Wilson. He said communication with Phillies manager Rob Thomson over his four-year tenure with the club has been \u201cquestionable, at least in my experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still, he doesn\u2019t want to be a distraction.<\/p>\n

\u201cI play whenever he tells me to play,\u201d Castellanos said. \u201cI sit whenever he tells me to sit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thomson said he appreciated that Castellanos was trying his best in the new role.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s very difficult, it really is,\u201d Thomson said. \u201cFor a guy that\u2019s played every day since he\u2019s come to the big leagues, and probably even in the minor leagues, to take on this role is difficult. I think he\u2019s trying to adjust.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think after tonight, that tells me something that he\u2019s starting to get a feel for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Castellanos is signed through next season on a $100 million, five-year deal. He said he\u2019s not thinking about what\u2019s in store for 2026 considering what\u2019s at stake over the next month.<\/p>\n

The Phillies have already clinched the NL East and have won 16 of their past 21 games.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would I do that in front of what we have ahead of us?\u201d Castellanos said. \u201cThat would be really selfish and take away with what we\u2019re trying to do as a group.\u201d<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

AP MLB: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/mlb<\/a><\/p>\n