In front of another five-figure crowd at BayCare Ballpark on Saturday afternoon, Nick Castellanos blasted one of the swaggering 408-foot dingers you’ll see. The Phillies employed four of their primary relievers.
Only Castellanos, out of six Phillies regulars, touched 6-foot-9 Twins right-hander Bailey Ober, who had a 3.43 ERA and outstanding command metrics in his breakout season last year. Ober’s fastball reached a velocity of 95 mph, up from 91–92 mph. In his three innings, Castellanos’ home run was their sole baserunner.
The Braves’ first series of the regular season will take place at Citizens Bank Park against the Phillies, so they won’t have to wait long for a chance to begin exacting revenge for their postseason defeat. It’s less certain, though, if the current NL MVP will start at the top of Atlanta’s lineup on March 28.
According to The Athletic’s David O’Brien, an MRI on Friday found discomfort surrounding the four-time All-Star’s meniscus. Dr. Neal ElAttrache is scheduled to evaluate Acuña’s right knee on Monday. This is especially significant as Acuña missed the team’s World Series run in July 2021 due to an ACL tear in his right knee.
The Braves “remain optimistic,” according to O’Brien, that their franchise player will be prepared to take the
