Nick Castellanos has seen his opportunity in Major League Baseball come to an end.
The San Diego Padres designated the veteran outfielder for assignment on Wednesday, following a lackluster performance over 39 games. To fill his spot, they signed Samad Taylor, a versatile player from Triple-A El Paso.
Castellanos, who is 34, had joined the Padres on a league-minimum one-year deal after being cut by the Philadelphia Phillies before the 2026 season. The move was viewed as a low-risk effort for the former All-Star to rejuvenate his career, but unfortunately, that didn’t happen.
In his time with the Padres, Castellanos struggled, batting just .191 with a .560 OPS and hitting four home runs. With San Diego vying for a playoff position, his underperformance made him an easy candidate for release.
This decision came just a day after Castellanos shared his thoughts on his tumultuous exit from Philadelphia, revealing that he wasn’t informed about his role before being let go.
“The phone was on,” Castellanos mentioned. “It would have just taken a conversation like, ‘This is what your role will be.’ But apparently, they thought it was better for the organization if my personality wasn’t around.”
Castellanos wasn’t the only one facing challenges. The Padres’ offensive lineup has been one of the weakest in the league this season, with a team batting average of .218, an OPS of .656, and scoring only 229 runs as June began.
Moreover, the team recently went 0-for-33 with runners in scoring position, and even key players like Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. have struggled to maintain consistent production. They’ve also faced a tough stretch, losing seven of their last eight games.
Despite these offensive difficulties, the Padres linger in the playoff race with a 32-27 record, buoyed by strong starting pitching and an effective bullpen. Unexpected contributors such as Gavin Sheets and Ty France have played crucial roles in keeping the lineup competitive.
This latest setback adds to a challenging period in Castellanos’ career, which saw him once sign a lucrative five-year, $100 million contract and be recognized as one of the top power hitters in baseball.
