With the Philadelphia Phillies in the middle of a three-game set against the San Diego Padres, it has to be a weird experience for former outfielder Nick Castellanos, who was released by the Phils in February after a season steeped in controversy and marred by his interactions with ex-manager Rob Thomson.
Castellanos has since torched some Phillies journalists for their -- in his view -- unsavory coverage of his departure. But that didn't stop him from opening up this week and revealing some of the details of his contentious exit.
Nick Castellanos provides specifics of Phillies exit
According to Castellanos (and relayed to fans by The Athletic's Matt Gelb), Castellanos called the Phillies the day before he was released to tell them that he was coming to spring training (which had already begun). When he was told by the Phillies during that call not to come, he took umbrage.
"So, if I’m an employee, I’m going," Castellanos said, per Gelb. "Then make me not an employee, and I don’t go.” The next day, the Phillies officially released Castellanos. He signed a one-year deal with the Padres 72 hours later.
"They handled it the way that they handled it."
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) May 25, 2026
Nick Castellanos takes on his former team for the first time Monday night. pic.twitter.com/rojtBzoSD9
On Monday in the San Diego clubhouse, Castellanos lauded his Padres teammates for having "embraced" him. He even mentioned that San Diego's front office is in constant contact with him, asking for his perspective on certain things.
Castellanos felts as though he was wronged by Philadelphia's leadership, and it put him in a no-man's land type of situation entering the 2026 season. That being said, Castellanos hasn't let his tough experience cloud his happiness for Don Mattingly and the new era the Phillies have entered. Keep in mind that Castellanos is still being paid a hefty salary from the Phillies this season
A "clean slate" in San Diego hasn't been easy on Castellanos from a baseball standpoint. The two-time All-Star is slashing .182/.216/.336/.552 in 37 games for the Friars this season in a limited role.
It'll surely take time for Castellanos to ease into his new situation after a four-year stint in Philadelphia that he probably always hoped would've been five. And no matter how much time heals the wounds of his exit, he'll probably always carry plenty of baggage connected to how he and the Phillies parted.
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