Full Breakdown
Nick Castellanos' Exit from the Phillies and New Chapter with the Padres
5/28/2026, 10:09:47 PM
Release, Signing, and Upcoming Series
Outfielder Nick Castellanos was released by the Philadelphia Phillies in February 2023 after telling the club he would attend spring training. The team told him not to report, and he was released the next day. Within 72 hours he signed a one-year deal with the Padres. The Padres will host the Phillies June 2-4, giving Castellanos his first chance to face his former team.
Managerial Change and Key Players
The Phillies dismissed manager Rob Thomson after a 9-19 start in late April 2023 and hired Don Mattingly. Under Mattingly the club improved to a 28-27 record, becoming one of the league’s hottest teams. Key figures: Castellanos, Rob Thomson, Don Mattingly, and his son Preston Mattingly.
Performance with San Diego
Castellanos has appeared in 37 games for the Padres, posting a .182 average, four homers, 19 RBIs and a .552 OPS. He went 0-for-5 in the first two games of the June series.
Castellanos' Remarks
Castellanos said the managerial change was beyond his control but welcomed Don Mattingly, calling him the right man for the job. He praised the father-son pairing of Don and Preston Mattingly as a beautiful example of family involvement in baseball. He noted he would have reported to spring training if not for the team’s decision.
Media Reaction and Unresolved Issues
Philadelphia media questioned Castellanos’ character after his February exit, suggesting his conduct contributed to the strained relationship with Rob Thomson. Criticism grew as the Phillies thrived under Mattingly, contrasting his limited role and .182 average with the Padres. The Phillies have not issued an official statement on his release, leaving a gap between his claim that the team told him not to attend spring training and the lack of a public explanation.
What’s Next
The Padres will host the Phillies June 2-4, giving Castellanos his first chance to face his former club. The series may test his adjustment to a limited role and could shape his future with San Diego.
Verbatim Quotes
- "The decision is not mine to make." — Nick Castellanos, Outfielder
- "right man, right spot." — Nick Castellanos, Outfielder
- “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 over the years and [see] how he goes about his business?” — Nick Castellanos, Outfielder
- "So, if I’m an employee, I’m going," — Nick Castellanos, Outfielder
- "Then make me not an employee, and I don’t go." — Nick Castellanos, Outfielder
