Nick Castellanos receives ovation in his Great American Ball Park return

In his first game back at Great American Ball Park since signing with the Philadelphia Phillies in the offseason, right-fielder Nick Castellanos was greeted with cheers from the crowd on Monday night. Batting fifth, Castellanos blooped out to shallow center against Cincinnati Reds starter Mike Minor in the first inning.

Castellanos finished the game going 1-for-5 at the plate, but his first hit of the game drove in the Phillies' first run. He grounded a Minor pitch into left field for an RBI single in the top of the third inning.

Castellanos, who played for the Reds in 2020 and 2021, opted out and explored free agency before signing with the Phillies in March. In April, Castellanos appeared on the Chris Rose Rotation podcast and said the Reds did not call him after he made his decision to opt out.

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Entering Monday’s game, Castellanos was hitting .259 with a .305 on-base percentage and was slugging .380. He also had 10 home runs, a team-leading 23 doubles and 54 RBI.

Castellanos had a career year with the Reds last season, earning his first all-star appearance and winning a Silver Slugger Award, while also finishing 12th in the MVP voting. He batted a career-high .309 and also had career highs in on-base percentage (.362), slugging (.576) and home runs (34).

The Reds chose Westminster Christian High School third baseman Sal Stewart with the No. 32 pick in this year's draft as compensation for Castellanos departing through free agency.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: WATCH: Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos returns to GABP to face Reds