The Philadelphia Phillies have officially moved on from veteran outfielder following controversy surrounding an in-game incident earlier this season.
The club announced on Thursday, February 12, that Castellanos was no longer part of the organization, ending his four-year tenure in Philadelphia.
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski addressed the decision, explaining that both sides believed a separation was the best path forward. He suggested that sometimes a “change of scenery” benefits everyone involved, particularly when tensions or differences begin to linger within a clubhouse environment.
Shortly after the news broke, Castellanos took to social media to share his perspective. In a five-photo Instagram post, he included a handwritten letter detailing his account of events and expressing gratitude to those who supported him during his time with the franchise. He thanked Dombrowski for the opportunity and acknowledged the staff for helping him prepare throughout his stay in Philadelphia. He also expressed appreciation for his teammates, calling his time alongside them a lasting and meaningful chapter of his career.
Castellanos did not shy away from addressing what he referred to as the “Miami Incident.” According to his statement, he decided to speak publicly after learning that an article about the situation was set to be released without his input. In the letter, the 33-year-old admitted he violated team rules during a game in Miami.
The incident occurred after Castellanos was ejected from what he described as a tightly contested matchup in front of friends and family. Frustrated and emotional, he acknowledged bringing a beer into the dugout after his ejection. He wrote that he sat next to Phillies manager Rob Thomson and voiced concerns about what he perceived as inconsistent standards within the team environment. However, he noted that teammates intervened and took the beer from him before he consumed it, a gesture he said he appreciated in hindsight.
Following the game, Castellanos said he met with both Dombrowski and Thomson to discuss the matter. He claimed that during that meeting he apologized for allowing his emotions to override his judgment. Castellanos also alleged that he had intended to explain the full situation to the media the following day but was advised by management not to do so. As part of the fallout, he said he was benched for the next game.
Dombrowski later commented that the decision to part ways was not necessarily about a single event but rather a culmination of factors. He suggested that sometimes daily dynamics within a team can lead to situations where a separation becomes inevitable.
The Phillies reportedly explored trade possibilities involving Castellanos before spring training’s first full-squad workout but were unable to finalize a deal. Ultimately, the organization chose to release the veteran outfielder, closing a chapter marked by both productive moments on the field and controversy off it.
Leave a Reply