Padres designate Nick Castellanos for assignment after 39 games

The San Diego Padres designated outfielder Nick Castellanos for assignment on Wednesday after he hit .191 with a .560 OPS and four home runs in 39 games. The move came one day after Castellanos received a video tribute during a return to Philadelphia.

Performance and roster decision Castellanos, 34, signed a one-year, league-minimum contract with San Diego after his release before the 2026 season. The low-risk addition failed to produce consistent results, prompting the club to move on while it remains in playoff contention at 32-27.

To fill the roster opening, the Padres selected the contract of versatile infielder/outfielder Samad Taylor from Triple-A El Paso.

656 OPS, and 229 runs scored. Even established hitters have posted inconsistent numbers, and the club recently went 0-for-33 with runners in scoring position. Despite the offensive issues, San Diego has stayed competitive behind strong starting pitching and a reliable bullpen.

Additional production from players such as Gavin Sheets and Ty France has helped maintain the lineup.

Prior context Castellanos previously reflected on his departure from his last team, stating he never received a direct conversation about his role. “My phone was on,” he said. ” The decision ends another chapter for a player who once signed a five-year, $100 million contract and was viewed as one of baseball’s top power hitters.