Latest news with #NickCastellanos
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Phillies Trade Brewing? Hot Stove Heating Up Days Before Deadline
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Philadelphia Phillies have some big decisions to make this week. They have a few holes on the roster, and they're expected to use the trade block to fill the spots that need upgrading. The biggest holes on the Phillies' roster are in the outfield and the backend of their bullpen. There are plenty of options for the front office to look at, but they're going to need to cut ties with some talent in the process. FanSided's Christopher Kline recently suggested the Phillies could cut ties with outfielder Nick Castellanos ahead of the trade deadline, though it might not make the most sense. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 25: Nick Castellanos #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 25, 2025 in New York City. The Phillies defeated... NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 25: Nick Castellanos #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 25, 2025 in New York City. The Phillies defeated the Yankees 12-5. More"Even if it's not the Royals, the idea of a Castellanos trade isn't too hard to wrap one's head around. He's under contract for $20 million next season, which is a hefty price tag, but Casty's a legitimate power source in the middle of a lineup," Kline wrote. "He's also a strong culture fit in any clubhouse, bringing a palpable energy that has made him beloved in Philadelphia. "From the Phillies' standpoint, trading their one good outfielder when improving outfield depth is a top priority on the trade deadline does not quite line up. But sometimes value is value, and getting off of Casty's money would allow Philadelphia to operate more aggressively in free agency — or even in separate trades at the deadline." Cutting ties with Castellanos would save some money, but the goal is to win a World Series, and he's been a valuable piece of the team. For this idea to make sense, the Phillies would need to land at least one outfielder in return. They're expected to be in the market to add at least one outfielder, so if they can pull that off, a deal involving Castellanos could make sense. At the end of the day, the outfield is a weakness. Trading away a productive outfielder would hurt the team, even if it saves money. More MLB: Yankees Rumors: New York Urged To Pursue Intra-Division Trade For Veteran Pitcher
New York Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Phillies takeaways: Zack Wheeler's off day, Otto Kemp powers up, trade deadline nears
NEW YORK — Zack Wheeler's 1-0 cutter to Cody Bellinger bounced through the dirt in front of the hitter's feet. The next pitch, a fastball, fell just below the center of the zone in the third inning Sunday at Yankee Stadium. Bellinger drove the ball to right field, where Nick Castellanos did not get a good read on the ball and missed it while sliding. It became a triple. Advertisement Perhaps the damage could have been limited if Castellanos had fielded it differently. But a ball in the dirt, then an extra-base hit? It was that kind of day for Wheeler, who was not as sharp as usual. He hit three batters, including two back-to-back in the second, and gave up four runs that inning. Wheeler battled to strike out eight over 5 2/3 innings, but the Phillies never overcame the deficit, losing 4-3 to the New York Yankees, who avoided a series sweep. 'He was yanking a lot of pitches — three hit batsmen, less than 60 percent strike-throwing percentage,' Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. 'That's a little bit off.' Wheeler called the game a grind, saying he hasn't been at his best in both of his starts since the All-Star break. That's relative for Wheeler, who in his previous start allowed two runs and seven hits and hit a batter while striking out 10 and earning a win over the Red Sox. It was good pitching, but not the high-level execution that Wheeler delivered for most of the first half. In four career starts and 20 2/3 innings at Yankee Stadium, Wheeler has 16 earned runs, 28 allowed hits, three hit-by-pitches (all on Sunday) and 11 walks. Those outings have occurred over an 11-year span. Is there anything about the ballpark? 'No,' Wheeler said. He felt good in the bullpen before the game. It did not carry over to his pitching. Sometimes it's like that, he said. 'Just need to sit down with (pitching coach) Caleb (Cotham) and just see what's going on,' Wheeler said. 'I don't think it's anything crazy.' It was the type of jump that's more likely to be seen beneath a basketball hoop or along the sidelines at a football game. But catcher J.T. Realmuto brought a sky-high jump to home plate at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, seemingly levitating as he caught a throw from center fielder Johan Rojas and tagged out Bellinger at the plate while mid-air. He saved a run on the play, which ended the third. It was like no jump Thomson had seen a catcher make before. 'That was two athletes right there making a really good play,' Thomson said of Realmuto and Rojas. Unreal!! — Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 27, 2025 It seemed to be the weekend of Realmuto. Really, the summer of Realmuto. The 34-year-old catcher has broken out after batting .205 across 22 games in May. He entered Sunday's game slashing .336/.369/.450 with an .819 OPS since June 1. And that says nothing of his defense, which remains among the best in the league. Advertisement Realmuto went 1-for-4 on Sunday, sending a single to right field in the sixth. He went 2-for-4 on Saturday and 2-for-5 on Friday. He has two home runs since Wednesday, against the Red Sox, when he hit his first homer since May 21. 'When I get on time and take my 'A' swing and catch the ball out front a little more often, that's when I do a little more damage,' Realmuto said Friday. 'I'm still more of a line-drive, focused-on-right-field hitter, but I'll catch those mistakes out front.' An impending free agent, Realmuto could field strong offers this winter should he continue his surge. Otto Kemp swung four times in his first two at-bats on Sunday. The third and fourth swings became home runs — his third and fourth homers since his MLB debut on June 7. 'It's one of these parks that, I mean, it's pretty iconic,' Kemp said. 'So, to get to start here, and hit two out today — it's pretty sweet. It's a dream, man. It's what you play for: to compete in places like this.' Undrafted three years ago out of Point Loma Nazarene University, Kemp continues to see his dream unfold in wild ways — whether it's his first multi-homer game at Yankee Stadium or bunting for the first time in professional baseball in his Citizens Bank Park debut. Kemp has bounced from position to position since his major-league debut. He started at third, then moved to first four games later while Bryce Harper was on the injured list, then to the left-field platoon when Harper came back and now back to third with Alec Bohm on the IL. The Phillies like his bat, so they will work him in where they can. The return to third was rough initially, including an error in his second game back. But, on Sunday, he had perhaps his best play at third yet: a diving catch to snag a Bellinger line drive. Advertisement Kemp said he's worked with infield coach Bobby Dickerson to slow the game down a bit, feeling how much faster things can be than in the minor leagues. Dickerson has helped Kemp 'focus on just catching the ball,' he said. He's getting better all the time, Thomson said: 'All he needs is reps.' As for the trade market: The Phillies are still likely to emphasize bullpen help. That market has yet to heat up, though on Friday the New York Mets traded for Gregory Soto — a reliever the Phillies sent to the Orioles at the deadline in 2024. It is a group a lot of contenders are focused on. It is the same for right-handed bats, which the Phillies may also seek. After Thursday's 6 p.m. trade deadline, the divisional race will truly heat up. The Phillies entered Sunday with slightly better odds to win the NL East than the Mets (51.3 percent to 48.7), according to FanGraphs. They left New York one game behind the Mets, who were playing Sunday night. The clubs' respective deadline moves will be key to the race, and so will any injuries. A month from now, the Phillies will be back in New York to face the Mets in their penultimate series of the regular season. Both teams are in the market for bullpen help and perhaps an outfielder. Their lineups will probably look different in a month. But to what degree is uncertain, and it will likely prove consequential as the second half heats up in a competitive National League. (Top photo of Zack Wheeler: Ishika Samant / Getty Images)
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Phillies' Aaron Nola will make his first minor league rehab start on Thursday
NEW YORK (AP) — Philadelphia pitcher Aaron Nola will make his first injury rehabilitation start Thursday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley at Worcester as he works his way back from a sprained right ankle and fractured rib that have sidelined him since May. Nola threw batting practice on Friday. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Saturday the 32-year-old right-hander will throw about 60 pitches in the Triple-A game. Nola hurt the ankle during agility drills on May 8. He made a pair of ineffective starts and was placed on the IL effective May 15. Nola threw a bullpen session June 1 and felt sore a few days later. An MRI showed a stress fracture of a rib, Thomson revealed June 10. On the IL for a physical injury for the first time since 2017, Nola was 1-7 with a 6.16 ERA in nine starts and 49 2/3 innings. Nick Castellanos sits after hurting knee Right fielder Nick Castellanos was out of the starting lineup Saturday, a day after getting hurt in the Phillies' 12-5 win over the Yankees. 'The last play last night where he went back towards the wall, just kind of jammed his left knee a little bit,' Thomson said. 'He came in a little bit sore today, so keep him out, see how he is tomorrow.' Alec Bohm update Alec Bohm is to meet up with the Phillies on Sunday, travel with the team to Chicago and be evaluated. Bohm broke a left rib when hit by a 92.2 mph Yu Darvish pitch at San Diego on July 12. The third baseman and first baseman returned July 18 following the All-Star break, then went on the injured list. 'Still a little bit sore,' Thomson said. ___ AP MLB:
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Phillies' Aaron Nola will make his first minor league rehab start on Thursday
NEW YORK (AP) — Philadelphia pitcher Aaron Nola will make his first injury rehabilitation start Thursday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley at Worcester as he works his way back from a sprained right ankle and fractured rib that have sidelined him since May. Nola threw batting practice on Friday. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Saturday the 32-year-old right-hander will throw about 60 pitches in the Triple-A game. Nola hurt the ankle during agility drills on May 8. He made a pair of ineffective starts and was placed on the IL effective May 15. Nola threw a bullpen session June 1 and felt sore a few days later. An MRI showed a stress fracture of a rib, Thomson revealed June 10. On the IL for a physical injury for the first time since 2017, Nola was 1-7 with a 6.16 ERA in nine starts and 49 2/3 innings. Nick Castellanos sits after hurting knee Right fielder Nick Castellanos was out of the starting lineup Saturday, a day after getting hurt in the Phillies' 12-5 win over the Yankees. 'The last play last night where he went back towards the wall, just kind of jammed his left knee a little bit,' Thomson said. 'He came in a little bit sore today, so keep him out, see how he is tomorrow.' Alec Bohm update Alec Bohm is to meet up with the Phillies on Sunday, travel with the team to Chicago and be evaluated. Bohm broke a left rib when hit by a 92.2 mph Yu Darvish pitch at San Diego on July 12. The third baseman and first baseman returned July 18 following the All-Star break, then went on the injured list. 'Still a little bit sore,' Thomson said. ___ AP MLB:
Al Arabiya
4 days ago
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Phillies' Aaron Nola will make his first minor league rehab start on Thursday
Philadelphia pitcher Aaron Nola will make his first injury rehabilitation start Thursday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley at Worcester as he works his way back from a sprained right ankle and fractured rib that have sidelined him since May. Nola threw batting practice on Friday. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Saturday the 32-year-old right-hander will throw about 60 pitches in the Triple-A game. Nola hurt the ankle during agility drills on May 8. He made a pair of ineffective starts and was placed on the IL effective May 15. Nola threw a bullpen session June 1 and felt sore a few days later. An MRI showed a stress fracture of a rib Thomson revealed June 10. On the IL for a physical injury for the first time since 2017 Nola was 1-7 with a 6.16 ERA in nine starts and 49 2/3 innings. Right fielder Nick Castellanos was out of the starting lineup Saturday a day after getting hurt in the Phillies 12-5 win over the Yankees. 'The last play last night where he went back toward the wall just kind of jammed his left knee a little bit,' Thomson said. 'He came in a little bit sore today so keep him out see how he is tomorrow.' Alec Bohm is to meet up with the Phillies on Sunday travel with the team to Chicago and be evaluated. Bohm broke a left rib when hit by a 92.2 mph Yu Darvish pitch at San Diego on July 12. The third baseman and first baseman returned July 18 following the All-Star break then went on the injured list. 'Still a little bit sore,' Thomson said.
