Castellanos Designated for Assignment

An Underperforming Investment

The decision to move on from Castellanos follows a season where San Diego has struggled significantly at the plate, currently holding the worst batting average in the Major Leagues. While the Padres signed him in February for the league minimum of approximately $780,000, the low-cost gamble did not pay off. During his tenure with the team, Castellanos hit .191 with a .560 OPS, four home runs, and 20 RBIs.

Castellanos arrived in San Diego following his release from the Philadelphia Phillies, who let him go in February despite still owing him $20 million for the final year of a five-year, $100 million contract signed in 2022. The transition proved difficult for the veteran, who had been accustomed to playing every day for over a decade. According to MLB Trade Rumors, his 2025 campaign in Philadelphia was already characterized by a 90 wRC+ and defensive struggles, leading to a disconnect with then-manager Rob Thomson.

Managerial Perspective on Roster Flexibility

Padres manager Craig Stammen noted that the decision to designate Castellanos for assignment was rooted in a broader need for versatility on the bench. The team is shifting its focus toward players who can provide speed and defensive utility across multiple positions.

“We’ve been talking a little bit about our roster and the flexibility that we’d like to have with our bench and maybe [have] a little bit more speed, a little bit more dynamic players. It just allows us to maybe do different things.”

Craig Stammen, Padres manager

Stammen acknowledged the human element of the move, noting that Castellanos struggled to adapt to a sporadic playing schedule after being a career-long everyday player. “I think that was definitely something that was tough for him,” Stammen said. “It was tough for him to transition from playing every single day to playing two days, then two days off. … It was a difficult transition for him, and something that he probably didn’t really love in the end.”

The Arrival of Samad Taylor

To fill the vacancy, the Padres selected the contract of Samad Taylor from Triple-A El Paso. Taylor, who signed a minor league deal with the organization during the winter, offers a different profile than Castellanos. While his Major League experience is limited to 83 plate appearances with a .205 career average, his Triple-A production has been notable. Taylor posted a .319/.406/.500 slash line in the minors, fueled by an 11.7% walk rate.

The team’s roster adjustments have been swift this week, with the club also selecting the contract of Jase Bowen. By prioritizing Taylor and Bowen, the Padres are signaling a shift toward a more dynamic, albeit less experienced, bench composition.

Teammate Reactions in Philadelphia

The timing of the designation was particularly poignant, occurring while the Padres were in Philadelphia for a series at Citizens Bank Park. Castellanos, who received a video tribute from the Phillies on Tuesday night, was not in the lineup for that game. For his teammates in the San Diego clubhouse, the news was received with visible disappointment.

“He had a lot of great at-bats for us this year. It sucks that it’s come this way. I think everyone in here loved him and appreciated what he brought every single day. It sucks to hear the news.”

Manny Machado, Padres infielder

As Castellanos heads toward a likely release, his future in the league remains uncertain. While he demonstrated power as recently as 2024—when he hit 23 home runs—his current statistical profile, marked by a 27.9% strikeout rate and a lack of production against both left- and right-handed pitching, presents a challenge for potential suitors. Whether another club will offer him a path to resurgence remains to be seen, but for now, the Padres have closed the book on a short-lived experiment that failed to spark their struggling offense.