Phillies Release Outfielder Nick Castellanos After Dugout Incident

Veteran player clashed with manager Rob Thomson, damaging trust in the clubhouse

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Philadelphia Phillies have released veteran outfielder Nick Castellanos following an incident last season where he confronted manager Rob Thomson while drinking a beer in the dugout during a game. The incident damaged trust within the team's clubhouse, and the Phillies ultimately decided to move on from Castellanos, who had struggled on the field in 2025, in order to reinforce accountability and reset the team's culture ahead of the 2026 season.

Why it matters

The Phillies' decision to release Castellanos highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy clubhouse culture, especially for a contending team. The incident with the beer in the dugout was seen as a clear violation of MLB standards and damaged the trust between Castellanos and the team's leadership, leading the front office to prioritize accountability over the sunk cost of Castellanos' contract.

The details

According to reports, the incident occurred on June 16, 2025, during a game against the Miami Marlins. After a late defensive substitution, Castellanos opened a bottle of Presidente beer and carried it into the dugout during live play, a clear violation of MLB clubhouse rules. Castellanos then confronted manager Rob Thomson and members of the coaching staff, with teammates Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto attempting to shield him from cameras. The incident quickly escalated, with one anonymous player stating that Castellanos 'can't disrespect the manager and talk to him the way he did' and that 'you can't expect it all to be the same after that'.

  • The incident occurred on June 16, 2025, during a game against the Miami Marlins.
  • Castellanos was released by the Phillies on February 12, 2026.

The players

Nick Castellanos

A 33-year-old veteran outfielder who was released by the Philadelphia Phillies after the 2025 season.

Rob Thomson

The manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, who was confronted by Castellanos in the dugout incident.

Kyle Schwarber

A Phillies teammate who attempted to shield Castellanos from cameras during the dugout incident.

J.T. Realmuto

A Phillies teammate who attempted to shield Castellanos from cameras during the dugout incident.

Howie Kendrick

A Phillies special assistant who confiscated the beer bottle from Castellanos during the dugout incident.

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What they’re saying

“You can't disrespect the manager and talk to him the way he did. You can't expect it all to be the same after that.”

— Anonymous Phillies teammate (The Athletic)

What’s next

The Phillies will look to move forward and reset the team's culture ahead of the 2026 season without Castellanos on the roster.

The takeaway

The Phillies' decision to release Castellanos underscores the importance of maintaining a professional and accountable clubhouse culture, even for veteran players. The team prioritized upholding its standards and reinforcing the authority of its manager over the sunk cost of Castellanos' contract, sending a clear message about the expectations for all players on a contending team.