Nick Castellanos DFA’d by the Padres while on the road, playing against the Phillies

Nick Castellanos was designated for assignment by the Padres on Wednesday while in Philadelphia, during a series against the Phillies. You know, the team that released him in February and is still paying him $20 million this season.

The Padres DFA Nick Castellanos

The Padres announced that they have designated Nick Castellanos for assignment.

Castellanos hit .191 in 115 at-bats for San Diego this season. pic.twitter.com/rhopJk2O7t

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 3, 2026

The Padres signed Nick Castellanos for the league minimum, gave him 39 games, watched him hit .191 with a .560 OPS, and said thanks but no thanks.

I like Nick Castellanos. Always have. The guy played 147 games for the Phillies last season. Hit .250 with 17 homers and 72 RBI. Showed up every day and overall, put together a full season of solid production at the plate even while the defensive issues and the behind-the-scenes stuff were piling up around him.

None of that even matters. Baseball is a numbers game. The numbers weren’t there in San Diego and they haven’t been there for a while. A .191 average and a .560 OPS in 39 games doesn’t get you a roster spot on any team in the league.

Either Way, The Timing Is Absurd

Last week Castellanos gave an interview praising the Padres’ front office communication. “The front office consistently asks me questions about how I see things, and when they talk to me, it’s straight, which is great, because then I know what’s up.”

The Padres front office DFA’d him today. There seemed like a chance he’d start Wednesday against Sanchez but instead the Padres brought up Samad Taylor from Triple-A and sent Castellanos packing.

Padres manager Stammen said the timing was “purely coincidental.” Maybe it was but getting cut in the city where your previous team released you earlier this year is rough no matter how you slice it.

The Phillies Were Right to Move On

The Phillies ate $20 million to get Nick Castellanos off the roster. At the time, some people questioned whether that was smart. Why eat that money when you could just keep him and let him DH? Why pay someone else’s player?

Well unfortunately, this is why. A 34-year-old who can’t play defense, hit .191 in his next stop, and got DFA’d before June isn’t a guy you want on your roster in any situation.

The Nick Castellanos replacement, Adolis Garcia, hitting .203, isn’t exactly crushing it either but at least the defense in right field has been a legitimate asset.

Up Next For Nick Castellanos?

Casty’s career might not be over but the options are thin. Two DFAs in the same season. A .191 average in his most recent stint with no defensive value at 34 years old isn’t exactly enticing. An American League team could take a flier on him as a DH but the track record this season makes that a tough sell.

Stammen was honest about the situation. Said it was tough for Castellanos to transition from an everyday role to a part-time role after playing every day for 12 to 15 years. “Something he probably didn’t love or feel comfortable with.”

That’s the reality of being 34 in a sport that keeps getting younger and faster. The game moves on. The numbers dictate everything. When the numbers stop working, the roster spot goes to someone else.

I genuinely hope Casty finds a new home somewhere. The guy can still put the barrel on the ball when he’s right. He needs to find a situation where the role matches his expectations and the numbers start trending in the right direction because .191 isn’t going to keep him employed anywhere.

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