Padres Release Castellanos
San Diego Padres Designate Outfielder Nick Castellanos for Assignment Following Brief, Challenging Tenure
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The San Diego Padres designated outfielder Nick Castellanos for assignment on June 3, just one day after he received a standing ovation and video tribute at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Castellanos hit just .191 with a .560 OPS in 39 games for San Diego — one of the worst stretches of his career, according to Yahoo Sports.
To fill his roster spot, the Padres called up infielder/outfielder Samad Taylor from Triple-A El Paso, where he was hitting .319, according to Sporting News. The move effectively ends what analysts called a "low-risk" experiment that never got off the ground.
From $100 Million Star to League Minimum Castoff
Castellanos' fall was steep and fast. The Philadelphia Phillies cut him in February 2026, eating roughly $20 million owed on his five-year, $100 million contract, according to Houston Chronicle. The breakup followed a toxic relationship with the organization, including a reported dugout confrontation with manager Rob Thomson during a June 2025 game in Miami.
The Padres picked him up on a one-year deal at the league minimum — about $780,000. Padres president A.J. Preller called it a "low-risk flier." But Castellanos never found his footing. He hit .146 with zero home runs by late April before finishing with 4 home runs and a 27.9% strikeout rate across 122 plate appearances, per Yahoo Sports.
A Poetic and Painful Return to Philadelphia
On June 2, Castellanos returned to Citizens Bank Park with the Padres. The Phillies played a video tribute for him between innings. Castellanos, not in the starting lineup, tipped his cap to a cheering crowd. He said of his time in Philly, "I acted true to my heart... 100 percent," according to WLTX.
Less than 24 hours later, he was designated for assignment. Local media called the timing "colder than cold." It was the final chapter of a story that began with a World Series ring in 2022 and ended with him being outpaced by a 27-year-old Triple-A callup, according to Delco Times.
The Numbers Behind a Career in Decline
The stats tell a clear story. In 2023, Castellanos hit .272 with 29 home runs and a .784 OPS — All-Star caliber numbers. By 2025, his OPS had dropped to .694. With the Padres in 2026, it fell to .560. His average exit velocity also dipped, from 88.9 mph in 2023 to 87.7 mph, per Baseball Savant data cited by Sporting News.
Defense was never a strength, but it got worse. Castellanos posted -12 Outs Above Average in 2025, among the worst marks in MLB. Combined with a rising strikeout rate and shrinking power, analysts at Yahoo Sports called him a "roster-spot liability" despite the minimal financial commitment from San Diego.
What Comes Next for Castellanos at 34
At 34 years old, Castellanos faces an uncertain future. The Phillies still owe him roughly $19.2 million of his 2026 salary — a bill that won't shrink further now that he's been cut again, according to WD Times. His DFA means he can be traded, released outright, or sent to the minors.
The Milwaukee Brewers have been floated as a possible landing spot given their need for power in the lineup, per Sporting News. But analysts warn that a part-time role may no longer work for him. Castellanos himself said earlier this season, "In a lot of ways, I feel like a rookie... I've always been able to figure it out." Whether he still can remains the question.
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