Nick Castellanos volunteers to work out at first base after Rhys Hoskins’ injury

CLEARWATER, Fla. — When Rhys Hoskins tore the ACL in his left knee on Thursday, it put several gears into motion, including some inside of Nick Castellanos’ head.

Second-year slugger Darick Hall, a left-handed hitter, went from being a candidate for the bench to being named the team’s starting first baseman. But the Phillies are loaded with lefties. They’ll be even more lefty-heavy when Bryce Harper returns from elbow surgery in a couple of months. They need right-handed bats in the lineup.

» READ MORE: Rhys Hoskins’ torn ACL gives Nick Castellanos a chance to prove his $100 million worth

That’s why third baseman Alec Bohm, a righty hitter, was taking ground balls at first base with Hall during Sunday morning’s infield practice.

So was Nick Castellanos. Yes, $100 million right fielder Nick Castellanos. Yes, chronically poor defender Nick Castellanos.

This was an act of pure selflessness.

The Phillies didn’t even ask Castellanos to practice at first base. He just started doing it in case they do ask him at some point.

“I’m not going to say no,” Castellanos said. “It’s purely out of an emergency.”

He said no once before, late in 2018, when the Detroit Tigers asked him to move from the outfield to play first in 2019, his contract year.

He’s a 31-year-old hitter for hire. He likes playing right field. Playing first base is strictly Plan Z.

“It’s not exactly something that I’m hoping for,” he said, “but it’s better to be prepared. It’s just more precautionary. In case something happens, I’m available.”

Phillies manager Rob Thomson was amused, and impressed, and cautious.

“He’s looking to help the team in any way he can. So, that’s a good sign. I’m all for that,” Thomson said in Sarasota after the Phillies’ 4-2 loss to the Orioles. “l’ll talk to him about it.”

The transition isn’t simple. First basemen are usually the least capable defenders on any given team, but they have many unique responsibilities, such as holding runners on, guarding the line, manning relays and cutting off throws.

“There’s some time that needs to be spent there,” Thomson said. “There’s more to it than just fielding the ball.”

That said, playing first base isn’t splitting any athletic atom. This is particularly true for players who have experience at more demanding positions. That describes Castellanos.

Castellanos was a shortstop in high school. He played third base and the corner outfield spots in the minor leagues as a first-round Detroit draft pick. He spent his first four full major-league seasons at third but has played outfield the last five seasons with the Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, and Phillies. All along, he’s looked like a player born to be a designated hitter.

He took ground balls at first base Sunday for just the second time in his career. His first time? Saturday. He took glove-side plays. Backhand plays. Tweener plays — deciding whether he would field the ball or peel off in deference to the second baseman and cover first base.

Changing positions means more work, and more work can be distracting. That’s why he was reluctant to move in the past.

In late 2018, as he looked forward to a contract year in 2019 with the Tigers, Castellanos refused to play first base without signing a contract extension. Now, in the second season of a five-year, $100 million deal with a potent Phillies team that might need to replace Hoskins long-term — Hoskins can become a free agent after this season — Castellanos is willing to try anything.

Who knows? Maybe he’d be great. Castellanos provided some defensive wizardry in the Phillies’ run to the 2022 World Series with diving catches in right field. And, for a guy with a reputation as a poor fielder, Castellanos looked pretty smooth Sunday. Having played third base didn’t hurt.

“It definitely helps. I’ve played [737 professional] games at third base,” Castellanos said. “I’m comfortable having the ball hit at me hard, and figuring out how to catch it.”

» READ MORE: Darick Hall hopes to ‘move the needle forward’ as the Phillies’ primary first baseman

Phillies ace Zack Wheeler did not travel with the team to face Baltimore in Sarasota. Instead, he threw three innings of a simulated game against minor-leaguers at BayCare Ballpark. It was his final work of spring training, which ends Tuesday. The Phillies open at Texas on Thursday. Wheeler is slated to start Game 2 Saturday against the Rangers.

Wheeler gave up a wind-aided double and an RBI single in the first inning before striking out five in a row and six of the next seven batters. Pitching coach Caleb Cotham said he was pleased with Wheeler’s outing. Wheeler threw 49 pitches, worked through his entire repertoire, and was happy to have the preseason finished.

“I’m ready to get going. Ready to get started. Pitch some games that matter,” he said. “I’m kind of over spring.”

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Left-handed reliever José Alvarado pitched the first inning of the simulated game. Alvarado also pitched Saturday, so Sunday gave him a back-to-back sequence before the season starts. Alvarado said he felt good.