It feels like just yesterday that we were speculating about Nick Castellanos' fateful return to Philadelphia and how the Phillies faithful would receive him at Citizens Bank Park. Oh... that's because it literally was yesterday.
So much for all that hoopla. Just one game into that series against the San Diego Padres (following a 3-2 winning effort by the Phillies), the Friars have cut Castellanos loose.
The Padres designated Nick Castellanos for assignment. He had a .560 OPS in 39 games.
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) June 3, 2026
Castellanos didn't even get into that lone game against the Phillies, instead riding the bench in what had become an all-too common occurrence. He did start twice against them the previous in San Diego, though he only notched one hit in eight trips to the plate.
Now, he's set to join the unemployment line once again, without so much as a chance to embrace the cheers — and, more likely, jeers — of his old fans.
Nick Castellanos deserved ultimate fate with Padres, though the timing is beyond cruel
Castellanos simply never recovered from his 2025 collapse, sinking to even lower production in his two months with the Padres. He hit .191/.221/.339 in 122 plate appearances, posting career-low marks in wRC+ (53) and OPS (.560).
None of his advanced metrics nor his batted-ball data suggested a turnaround was on the horizon, making this move a mere formality in the grand scheme of things. His was a low-risk signing that panned out to involve no reward.
Subjectively, it's hilarious that Padres management gave him one day to soak in the sights and sounds of Philadelphia again, knowing that they were going to cut him loose anyway. Perhaps they figured it'd be nicer to do it in a city he already knows well.
Objectively, it's pretty terrible that they brought him back to the scene of the crime where he lost all respect with his old team (though that beer incident in Miami may technically have been the straw that broke the camel's back). The Padres had to know he wouldn't be received well if he got into the game, which makes one question why they delayed his ouster, especially since they needed a 40-man roster spot prior to the series anyway to make room for Jase Bowen.
Alas, what's done is done, and Castellanos is now looking for his third team in the span of five months. His performance suggests that the pickings will be slim, and he may even have to settle for a minor-league contract to get back on his feet.
What a fall from grace this has been for the 2023 All-Star.
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