Nick Castellanos' Release and Padres Signing

On February 12, 2026 the Philadelphia Phillies released right-fielder Nick Castellanos, ending a five-year, $100 million contract that began in 2022. Three days later he signed a one-year deal with San Diego Padres, who are paying the Phillies $19.22 million for 2026.

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Castellanos signed a five-year, $100 million deal with Philadelphia in 2022 and posted a .260/.306/.426 slash line. By 2025 he was deemed a defensive liability in right field with reduced playing time. In the 2026 offseason, Phillies president Dave Dombrowski told him the club would move on, prompting his release.

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• 2022: Signed five-year, $100 million contract Phillies.

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• Feb 12 2026: Released.

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• Feb 15 2026: Signed with Padres.

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• May 25 2026: Faced Phillies in San Diego; returns to Citizens Bank Park next week.

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In his first month with San Diego, Castellanos is batting .190 with a .578 OPS and a –0.7 fWAR, ranking 286th of 291 players. He began as a bench player, splitting time as a platoon DH and occasional first baseman, then earned more right-field work after the Padres shifted Fernando Tatis Jr. to second base.

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The Phillies announced Castellanos’ release and a $19.22 million payment for 2026. In March 2026 the club dismissed manager Rob Thomson and named Yankees star Don Mattingly interim. Dave Dombrowski’s “move on” comment framed it as a roster move.

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Castellanos said release left him “in a tough spot… not really knowing what was up.” He expressed disdain for manager Thomson, noted a communication gap between Philadelphia and San Diego, and said “communication, for sure” eased his adjustment in Padres clubhouse.

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• “And I was told not to go. So, I’m an employee. So, if I’m an employee, I’m going. Then make me not an employee, and I don’t go.” — Nick Castellanos, Player

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• “But when they put Don into the manager’s seat, my thought was: right man, right spot. I think the fact that a father gets to work underneath his son is a beautiful thing. I think that baseball is a personal, family, authentic game, and I mean, honestly, what more of an authentic, genuine relationship can you have when you have a father like Don Mattingly and also a son like Preston, who I’ve been able to form a relationship with over the years, and how he goes about his business? I think it’s a beautiful thing.” — Nick Castellanos, Player

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• “They handled it the way that they handled it and, obviously, it led to me being in a tough spot at the end, not really knowing what was up,” — Nick Castellanos, Player

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• “I don’t have no hard feelings. They’re an organization that’s doing what they feel like is necessary for them to win, and they’re making decisions, and that led me to San Diego. I’m enjoying myself, and I’m getting to be teammates with new guys. Everything happens for a reason.” — Nick Castellanos, Player

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The Phillies and Padres will meet six times in next ten days, giving Castellanos chances to face his former club. He returns to Citizens Bank Park next week, where he may aim to prove his value against the team that released him.

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