Phillies Release Outfielder Nick Castellanos

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The Philadelphia Phillies have released outfielder Nick Castellanos after the team was unable to find a trade partner to take on the $20 million he is owed in 2026. Castellanos batted .250 with 17 home runs and 72 RBIs last season, but an act of insubordination in June and poor second-half performance led to him being relegated to a platoon role. The Phillies had tried to trade Castellanos in the previous two offseasons but found no takers.

Why it matters

Castellanos' release marks the end of a disappointing tenure with the Phillies, who signed him to a 5-year, $100 million contract prior to the 2022 season. His inability to live up to that contract and the team's decision to cut him loose despite still owing him a significant amount of money highlights the risks and challenges teams face when making big free agent signings.

The details

The Phillies released Castellanos on Thursday, just as the team was holding its first full-squad workout of spring training. The team had tried to trade Castellanos in each of the previous two offseasons but found no takers. His .250 batting average, 17 home runs, and 72 RBIs in 2025, combined with an act of insubordination in June and poor second-half performance, led the Phillies to relegate him to a platoon role. With $20 million still owed to Castellanos in 2026, the Phillies decided it was best to simply release him rather than try to find a trade partner.

• The Phillies released Castellanos on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
• Castellanos batted .250 with 17 home runs and 72 RBIs in the 2025 season.