The Padres announced they’ve released Nick Castellanos. That was all but inevitable after the two-time All-Star was designated for assignment on Wednesday. San Diego also confirmed the previously reported placement of reliever Jeremiah Estrada on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to June 3, with right knee inflammation. David Morgan is back up from Triple-A El Paso to replace him in the bullpen.
San Diego also reinstated righty Jhony Brito from the 60-day injured list and optioned him to El Paso. Ramón Laureano, who is likely done for the season after undergoing hip surgery, was transferred to the 60-day IL in a corresponding move.
San Diego rolled the dice on Castellanos after he was released by the Phillies going into Spring Training. He had a career-worst .191/.221/.339 showing in 39 games, striking out 34 times in 122 plate appearances (28%). The Padres pulled the plug this week and will use a combination of Gavin Sheets and Miguel Andujar for the majority of the designated hitter work. Sheets will also be pressed into some left field reps because of the Laureano injury.
There was no financial cost for the Padres. Philadelphia is paying Castellanos’ $20MM salary, minus the prorated $780K league minimum for any time he spent on another team’s roster. The Padres paid that but would’ve needed to pay the same amount to anyone they called up from the farm system instead. It’d be the same arrangement if Castellanos finds a big league opportunity with any other team this season, though he’d probably need to accept a minor league deal if he wants to continue playing.
On the pitching side, Brito returns to the roster for the first time since last May’s elbow surgery. He was nearing the end of his rehab window after beginning a minor league assignment in early May. He has made four rehab starts at Double-A, getting up to six innings. He’ll continue his ramp-up with El Paso but could be an option for a rotation that doesn’t have much certainty beyond Michael King and Randy Vásquez. If he spends another 20 days in the minors this year, he’ll be out of options going into 2027.
I hear the Red Sox are looking for a right handed bat… just saying
Luke – Nick’s 4 homeruns would be fifth-highest on the Red Sox!
BTW – Mute feature comes and goes, not sure what is going on with it?
PLEASE FIX THE MUTE BUTTON!!!!!! Thank you.
This man gets it. FIX THE MUTE BUTTON
He must not receive rave reviews for his play….
And there’s a drive into deep left field by Castellanos, it will be a plane ticket home…
A deep drive into retirement
With the money he has made ,he should be fine in retirement
Almost sure nick was going to be the answer cant belive I trusted in AJ
Castellanos to Cuba where Casty becomes the new dictator …
Shocked they gave him more then 100 ABs. That dog had his day.
We at MLBTR congratulate Castellanos on a fine playing career and wish him the best in retirement.
He’ll sign with someone again this year.
I predict him playing for the Indianapolis Clowns
The Yankees need a replacement for Judge.
Did the Padres consider hiring someone to insincerely apologize for using a slur before every Nick at-bat?
Friar fans, it, it, over
For reals? Castelsnos had more hr than tatis jr
They may have “paid nothing”, but certainly there’s a cost for carrying a far below replacement level player on your roster & playing him that much. But the Padres have a different view on value than most other teams, seemingly.
The problem is they’ve emptied out their farm system so they have nothing to pull up from AAA that is ML caliber
It was an ill-fated experiment but the Padres only paid him the pro-rated league min for the time he was on their roster from Feb to June. There’s your cost. Not unlike any other AAA player first promoted to the big leagues.
Back to the Phillies.
M.F.F,
My cousin knows this guy who says it’s already happening. They paid him $20M just to go away, but they now realize they can’t live without him.
Pirates finally get their 3B 😉
He’s always been very streaky….this wasnt the time for a bad stretch. I really thought he had something left. Someone will give him an opportunity on a minor league deal if he wants that…and he’ll see time in the majors again…
Based on this comment, I’m thinking Harpo.
I predict Judd Hoyer will sign him for Wrigley Field!