Padres Cut Ties With Outfielder Nick Castellanos After Rough 39-Game Stint

The San Diego Padres designated outfielder Nick Castellanos for assignment on Wednesday, ending a brief and unproductive stint with the club that saw the veteran struggle to make an impact over 39 games. Castellanos hit .191 with a .560 OPS, four home runs and 20 RBIs during his time in San Diego. The Padres simultaneously selected the contract of infielder/outfielder Samad Taylor from Triple-A El Paso.

Castellanos joined the Padres after the Philadelphia Phillies released him in February, shortly before the start of full-squad workouts at spring training. Philadelphia cut him despite owing him $20 million for the final season of a five-year, $100 million contract. San Diego signed him for approximately $780,000 – roughly the major league minimum – taking a low-risk chance on a player who had been a two-time All-Star earlier in his career.

The timing of the move came one day after Castellanos returned to Philadelphia for a road series. He was not in the lineup for Tuesday’s game, a 3-2 Phillies win, but appeared on the field to acknowledge a video tribute from the home crowd. Castellanos spent four seasons with Philadelphia before his release, and the tribute highlighted several of his sliding catches from that period.

With Castellanos now designated, the Padres have a window to trade or release him outright. Taylor’s promotion from Triple-A El Paso provides the club immediate roster depth as San Diego continues its 2025 National League West campaign.