MIAMI (AP) — Nick Castellanos was benched by Phillies manager Rob Thomson on Tuesday for “an inappropriate comment” the outfielder made after he was pulled for a defensive replacement a day earlier, ending Castellanos' streak of 236 consecutive starts.
“One thing about Nick, one of the many things about Nick is that he is very emotional,” Thomson said before Tuesday night's game at Miami. “He loves to play. He loves to play every inning of every game.
“I just thought last night he made an inappropriate comment after he came out. So, today, he’s not in the lineup. And I’m going to leave it at that.”
Castellanos played right field and singled in four at-bats against the Marlins on Monday before Johan Rojas replaced him in the bottom of the eighth. Max Kepler moved to right and Rojas played center.
The 33-year-old Castellanos, who is in his fourth season with the Phillies, is hitting .278 with seven homers and 36 RBIs. Castellanos, born and raised in South Florida, often has dozens of relatives and friends in the stands when the Phillies visit the Marlins.
Kepler started in right field Tuesday night.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Nick Castellanos can't reach a triple hit by Chicago Cubs' Ian Happ during the eighth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — De’Aaron Fox scored 24 points and the San Antonio Spurs won their first game since Victor Wembanyama injured his left knee, beating the Indiana 123-113 on Friday night for the Pacers' 11th straight loss.
Wembanyama hyperextended his knee Wednesday night in a home victory over New York. An MRI showed no ligament damage and the 7-foot-4 center stayed in San Antonio to rehabilitate the injury.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said Wembanyama is day-to-day but wouldn’t rule out the possibility he could play against Portland on Saturday night in San Antonio. The Spurs are 10-3 with Wembanyama doesn’t play.
Dylan Harper added 22 points for the Spurs, and Stephon Castle had 19.
Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Andrew Nembhard had 19 points, and Micah Potter added 16 in his first start in five games with Pacers.
The Pacers shot 51% while the Spurs made 44% overall. San Antonio made 22 of 28 free throws while Indiana was 13 of 15.
The Spurs scored the first six points of the third quarter to to make it 77-58. The Pacers regrouped to cut it to 93-85 after three quarters. San Antonio maintained control throughout the fourth quarter.
Spurs Host Portland on Saturday night.
Pacers: At Orlando on Sunday.
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Indiana Pacers guard Aaron Nesmith (23) shoots during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs in Indianapolis, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) makes contact with San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) as he drives to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle, right, tips a rebound in to score during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson gestures during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
San Antonio Spurs forward Kelly Olynyk, right, scores over the top of Indiana Pacers center James Wiseman (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
