Phillies’ Castellanos Shines; Marsh Takes Time Off to Reset

PHILADELPHIA — Nick Castellanos continues to impress as the Philadelphia Phillies secured a 7-2 victory against the Miami Marlins on April 18, 2025. Despite feeling sore in his left hip, Castellanos maintained his streak of regular-season games played, contributing significantly with a strong at-bat in the fifth inning.

Castellanos, now in his 13th major league season, showcased his adaptability at the plate, demonstrating patience and a strategic approach. “Well, I feel like I’m relaxed a little bit more,” he noted after the game. “Not trying to do too much. If I don’t know a guy, or just a righty in general, I’ll see a pitch or two.”

His prowess was evident as he fought through an 11-pitch at-bat, ultimately hitting a center-cut 94 mph fastball to left field. “Making adjustments,” Castellanos explained. “Just feel like I want to give a quality at-bat as often as I can.” Following his hit, manager Rob Thomson called for a pinch runner on a night where Castellanos walked away with an impressive .319 batting average.

Earlier in the game, Castellanos had struck out against Miami ace Sandy Alcantara, but his longer at-bat may have forced Alcantara from the game earlier than expected. “Just learning how to play the game and think about all that,” Castellanos said.

The recent performance is a definitive turnaround for Castellanos, who has refined his approach at the plate. After struggling last season with a low batting average, he stated, “I think just realizing I needed to mature a little bit.”

Thomson praised Castellanos, commenting, “He’s staying in the zone much more so than he has in the past. He’s barreling up balls in his happy zone.” Data supports this claim; Castellanos is averaging more pitches per plate appearance than he has in recent years, reflecting a more balanced batting strategy.

Meanwhile, in a separate development, the Phillies announced on April 20 that they placed center fielder Brandon Marsh on the injured list due to a mild hamstring injury. This move, backdated to April 17, provides an opportunity for Marsh to reset his performance, as he has not recorded a hit in 21 days.

Marsh is currently hitless in 31 at-bats, which has prompted the Phillies to look toward Triple-A Lehigh Valley for additional at-bats to help him regain form. Manager Rob Thomson remarked, “He wasn’t getting worse; he just wasn’t improving.”

With Marsh sidelined, the Phillies have turned to Johan Rojas, who enters the lineup after showing promise with a .345 batting average in limited appearances this season. The Phillies also recalled Cal Stevenson from Triple-A to aid the roster. As Rojas adjusts his swing for optimal performance, Thomson acknowledges the importance of making contact and using the field effectively. “He’s playing well,” Thomson added.

As the season unfolds, both Castellanos and Marsh reflect contrasting journeys, highlighting the complexities and challenges of performing at the major league level. The Phillies will continue to monitor Marsh’s recovery closely while riding the wave of Castellanos’ current success.