Veteran Outfielder Nick Castellanos Signs with Padres After Phillies Release

Castellanos joins San Diego on a veteran minimum deal after being let go by Philadelphia.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Just two days after being released by the Philadelphia Phillies, veteran outfielder Nick Castellanos has agreed to a deal with the San Diego Padres. The Padres will pay Castellanos the MLB veteran minimum of $780,000 for the 2026 season, with the Phillies covering the vast majority of his $20 million salary.

Why it matters

The move adds a potentially potent bat to the Padres' lineup as they look to bolster their offense for the 2026 season. Castellanos' versatility, with the ability to play multiple positions, also makes him an attractive addition for San Diego.

The details

Castellanos is expected to see time at designated hitter, first base, and potentially in the outfield for the Padres. His performance has been trending downwards in recent years, with his OPS+ falling from 112 in 2023 to 88 last season. Castellanos' time in Philadelphia was also not without its challenges, as he was benched last season following an 'inappropriate comment' after being removed from a game.

  • On February 13, 2026, the Philadelphia Phillies released Nick Castellanos.
  • On February 15, 2026, Castellanos agreed to a deal with the San Diego Padres.

The players

Nick Castellanos

A veteran outfielder who has agreed to a deal with the San Diego Padres after being released by the Philadelphia Phillies.

A.J. Preller

The General Manager of the San Diego Padres, who expressed a desire to add another bat to the offense and saw Castellanos as a fit.

Rob Thomson

The manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, who described Castellanos' incident involving an 'inappropriate comment' after being removed from a game.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The Padres will look to integrate Castellanos into their lineup and explore his potential at first base during spring training.

The takeaway

Castellanos' addition to the Padres' roster represents a low-risk, high-reward move for San Diego as they aim to bolster their offense and provide depth at multiple positions for the 2026 season.