Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos injured his knee while making a catch in right field on July 25 in New York. At the time, the play seemed minor, but lingering patellar tendinitis has bothered him ever since. He recently discussed the issue on a podcast with Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts.
Speaking with reporters in Arizona, Castellanos admitted the injury has limited him, though he downplayed it as an excuse. “It hasn’t been 100%, that’s for sure,” he said, per Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer. “But I’m not going to sit here and say that’s the reason. I’ve played well while hurt before.”
Despite dealing with the setback since July, Castellanos never stepped away from the lineup, suiting up whenever called upon. That decision raises questions about whether rest might have been the better option. His toughness is undeniable, a testament to the grind of a 162-game season, but the lack of recovery time may have contributed to his recent struggles, which have now pushed him into a platoon role.
Phillies skipper Rob Thomson doesn’t appear overly concerned about Nick Castellanos’ knee issue impacting his play.
“Yeah, I consider him pretty healthy,” Thomson told Scott Lauber. “But it does flare up every once in a while. I think it’s been bothering him on and off since that game in Yankee Stadium.”
Known for his competitiveness, Castellanos has always wanted to be in the lineup daily. But his opportunities have dwindled with his recent struggles. Before the injury, he was batting .270 with a .745 OPS across 102 games. Since July 26, however, his numbers have dropped to a .207 average and a .587 OPS over 41 games. Overall, he’s hitting .253 with a .702 OPS, 17 home runs, and 71 RBIs this season.
If Castellanos has indeed been battling the injury throughout this stretch, continuing to play may have hurt the team more than it helped. A stint on the injured list might have allowed him to physically recover and mentally reset.
The situation has only become cloudier following Castellanos’ candid remarks about communication with Thomson. Combined with his struggles at the plate, it’s left Phillies fans unsure about what to expect moving forward.
Still, Castellanos has emphasized that his focus is on helping Philadelphia chase a World Series. Taking more time for proper rest in the future could be the key to avoiding the kind of downturn he’s experienced this season.