PHILADELPHIA -- It's been nearly two and a half months since Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos spoke his mind to manager Rob Thomson after being lifted for a defensive replacement on June 16 in Miami.
That late-game move hadn't happened again since ... until Friday night’s 2-1 victory over the Braves.
With the Phillies clinging to a one-run lead entering the ninth inning, Thomson approached the home-plate umpire to notify him of some lineup changes. It wasn't easy to communicate the moves given that the ballpark had gone dark in preparation for closer Jhoan Duran's electric entrance.
But by the time the lights came back on at Citizens Bank Park, Harrison Bader -- who was not in the starting lineup -- was trotting out to play center field. Brandon Marsh had shifted to left and Max Kepler went to right.
Castellanos, who was the second-to-last batter in the bottom of the eighth, was no longer in the game.
"He makes near the last out in the eighth inning," Thomson explained, "so we put Bader in because he's the best defender we've got."
Seems simple enough. Of course, it's not that easy given what happened the last -- and only -- time Thomson lifted Castellanos for defensive purposes.
That previous instance came against the Marlins on June 16, when Castellanos made “inappropriate” comments to Thomson after the manager replaced him with Johan Rojas in the eighth inning of a two-run game. Castellanos was benched the following day, ending his consecutive games started streak at 236.
So, how did it go this time around?
"I think we're all at the point now where we're all-in," Thomson said. "Whatever is best for the team to win a game that night, we're all-in. Check your ego at the door and let's go."
Again, it might not be that easy.
Not only has Thomson reopened the door on swapping out Castellanos late in close games, but the longtime everyday outfielder has also been left out of the starting lineup four times in the past 13 games in favor of Kepler.
Asked how much of an adjustment that is at this point in his career, Castellanos said: "It's a big adjustment."
Has it been difficult?
"Yes," he said.
How does he deal with that?
"The best I can," Castellanos said.
This particular defensive swap came on a night when Castellanos had accounted for one of the most pivotal defensive plays of the game. With runners on the corners and one out in a 1-1 game in the fifth, Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna lined a ball to right field.
Castellanos settled underneath it, then -- with Matt Olson breaking for home -- the outfielder made an on-target throw to the plate for an inning-ending double play that prevented the go-ahead run from scoring.
"He played well," Thomson said. "He really did."
Does this happening on a night Castellanos made that type of play make it all the more frustrating for him?
"Yes," Castellanos said again.
Of course, the Phillies are looking at the bigger picture.
Castellanos entered Friday night with -12 Outs Above Average (OAA) this season, according to Statcast. That ranked last among 113 qualified outfielders. He was also getting a jump that was -2.8 feet worse than average -- 85th out of 86 qualified outfielders in that category.
Castellanos' -13 DRS (Defensive Runs Saved) also checked in at third worst among outfielders. Meanwhile, Bader's 17 DRS are tied for the third most among outfielders this season.
Overall, Bader has 75 OAA dating to his first full season in 2018. That’s 22 more than any other active outfielder during that span. In that same timeframe, Castellanos has -74 OAA. That’s 17 fewer than any other outfielder. In fact, only one other player has even -40 OAA during that span -- and that player is now the Phillies’ designated hitter (Kyle Schwarber, -57 OAA).
So the question isn't so much about the logic behind the move itself. If anything, the only question is why it hadn't happened since June 16.
"That situation hasn't come up, to tell you the truth," Thomson said.
Now, the question becomes, "Will it happen again?" the next time it comes up?