Aug 28, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson speaks to the media before a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. (Grace Del Pizzo/On Pattison)
PHOENIX – Did Rob Thomson hear what Nick Castellanos said Friday night?
"Yes."
How could he not have heard?
In the postgame media availability heard 'round the world (or at least 'round the I-95 corridor), Castellanos told reporters that he doesn't really talk to Thomson all that often, and that communication over the years has been "questionable."
Nick Castellanos was asked if he understands why he hasn’t played as often.
“I don’t really talk to Rob all that often … Communication over the years has been questionable, at least in my experience.”
(via @GraceDelPizzo) pic.twitter.com/ucqEiWadSL
— On Pattison (@OnPattison) September 20, 2025
The interactions escalated, the tension in the room got thicker, and before long, there was a social media firestorm that has yet to fully die down. Honestly, I don't need to rehash it yet again; by this point, you're likely very familiar with the situation.
But when a player says he doesn't talk to his manager very often, especially a player of Castellanos' stature, that's worth at least asking about. And it will absolutely lead to intervention from said manager.
Thomson told the media Saturday that he met with Castellanos earlier that day.
"I thought it was really productive," Thomson said. "I'm not going to get into specifics of what we talked about, but I thought it was good."
Rob Thomson said he met with Nick Castellanos today and thought it was “really productive.” pic.twitter.com/iHbeX3cWek
Thomson reiterated his postgame sentiments from Friday as well, reinforcing that he thinks Castellanos is getting more comfortable in his new role off the bench.
"As I've said all along, it's a tough thing for a guy that's played every day throughout the minor leagues, every day in his big league career, to take this type of role," Thomson said. "Your routines change, your mindset changes a little bit, and it takes a while."
Thomson also said there's a "really good chance" Castellanos will get hot at some point. His numbers have undoubtedly improved recently; in September, he's slashing .323/.353/.548 with one home run and eight RBIs across 10 games.
It's a small sample size, sure, but compare that to his August slash line of .180/.240/.270. Things are definitely looking up in the statistics department.
However, in the personal department, Thomson and Castellanos had a few things to address.
Friday night, Castellanos went into detail on where he feels communication has been lacking between him and his manager.
"It's just been times where things have been said, and then over the course of years, I'll have expectations because I'll latch onto what's being said, and then actions will be different," Castellanos said.
Saturday afternoon, Phillies Nation's Destiny Lugardo asked Thomson how he views his relationship with Castellanos, and Thomson provided a very candid answer.
Rob Thomson addresses his relationship with Nick Castellanos. https://t.co/u2o8rMDPNg pic.twitter.com/1382sbUvIi
"As far as the communication part of it, if – not only Nick, but if anybody else in that clubhouse doesn't think that I'm communicating enough with them, I'm probably not. I've got to do a better job. It's just being accountable," Thomson said.
"But there's two ways of communicating, and that door is always open," he continued, pointing to the door of the manager's office.
"I can't tell the future, I'm not a mind reader. I urge players, I want players to come in here and tell me what's on their mind. But yeah, I obviously have to do a better job."
That's about as professional an answer as you can hope for in that situation.
Thomson is consistently lauded as a players' manager, as someone who listens to his players and plays to their strengths. His answer to that question, and his management of this scenario in general, speaks to his merits.
Thomson said Castellanos will be in the lineup Sunday and Tuesday against left-handed pitchers. The postseason will play out how it plays out, and Thomson and Castellanos have both emphasized that their focus is on winning a World Series. Beyond that, their future together is anyone's guess.
