Phillies Release Castellanos After Beer Incident

Outfielder admitted bringing beer into dugout, leading to his release despite $20 million owed

Feb. 13, 2026 at 6:55pm

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The Philadelphia Phillies have released outfielder Nick Castellanos, citing a ruptured relationship after he angrily brought a beer into the dugout last season following being pulled from a game. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said he's proud of Castellanos for owning up to the incident, but the team decided a change of scenery was needed despite Castellanos' production decline also contributing to the decision.

Why it matters

The Phillies' decision to release Castellanos, despite owing him $20 million for the final year of his contract, highlights the importance of team chemistry and following rules, even for star players. It also shows the Phillies' willingness to make tough decisions to improve the clubhouse environment, even if it means parting ways with a high-profile player.

The details

In a four-page handwritten letter, Castellanos admitted he broke a team rule by bringing a beer into the dugout last June after being taken out of a close game. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said he's proud of Castellanos for owning up to his mistake, but the incident, combined with Castellanos' declining production, led to the team's decision to release him.

  • On June 16, 2025, Castellanos brought a beer into the dugout after being pulled from a game against the Miami Marlins.
  • The Phillies released Castellanos on February 13, 2026, ahead of the start of spring training.

The players

Nick Castellanos

A 33-year-old outfielder who was in the final year of a $100 million, five-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Rob Thomson

The manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, who said he's proud of Castellanos for owning up to his mistake.

Dave Dombrowski

The president of baseball operations for the Philadelphia Phillies, who said the team decided a change of scenery was needed for Castellanos.

Kyle Schwarber

A slugger for the Philadelphia Phillies, who wished Castellanos the best in his future endeavors.

Adolis García

An outfielder who the Phillies signed to a $10 million, one-year contract to replace Castellanos.

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What they’re saying

“I'm proud of him because he owned up to what he did and, hey, we all make mistakes. Nick had helped us out in a lot of ways here. He's had some big hits and big plays and helped us win a lot ballgames. So I do, I wish him all the best.”

— Rob Thomson, Manager, Philadelphia Phillies

“A lot of times when a good player has their role change with the club, it can cause some friction, and his role changed last year from where it was. I mean you played every single day for a lot years in a row, and so sometimes that can contribute to it. Sometimes then people have debates between themselves where they're not all on the same page. But when you put all that together, sometimes you just need to make sure that you have a change of scenery.”

— Dave Dombrowski, President of Baseball Operations, Philadelphia Phillies

“We've had a lot of really good memories here over the last four years and he's had some really big moments with us. Hopefully wherever he goes next, he's able to keep going out there and keep doing his thing and keep having those big moments.”

— Kyle Schwarber

What’s next

The Phillies have signed outfielder Adolis García to a $10 million, one-year contract to replace Castellanos. The team is hoping García can provide production and help the Phillies return to the playoffs in 2026 after their Division Series loss to the Dodgers in 2025.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of team chemistry and following rules, even for star players. The Phillies' decision to release Castellanos, despite owing him $20 million, shows their willingness to make tough choices to improve the clubhouse environment and position the team for success.