One day after Nick Castellanos returned to Philadelphia with a video tribute, the Padres designated him for assignment. San Diego also pulled infielder/outfielder Samad Taylor up from Triple-A El Paso ahead of Wednesday’s game.
PHILADELPHIA — Nick Castellanos stood in the spotlight in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, and by Wednesday, it was already moving on. The San Diego Padres designated the outfielder for assignment on Wednesday, just one day after he received a video tribute during his return to his former home.
It was a quick turn from celebration to cut ties. Castellanos had been released by the Phillies in February, shortly before their first full-squad workout at spring training. The decision came despite the fact Philadelphia still owed him $20 million for the final season of a $100 million, five-year contract.
San Diego then took a chance. The Padres signed him for the league minimum, around $780,000, for the season. But the reunion didn’t bring back the version of Castellanos that had made him a two-time all-star. In limited action with the Padres, he hit .191 with a .560 OPS, four home runs and 20 RBIs across 39 games.
His time in the lineup never landed the way the tribute did. Tuesday night’s game ended with Philadelphia beating San Diego 3-2. and Castellanos was not in the lineup for his return. Still. he tipped his cap toward the cheering fans after a short video tribute that highlighted some of his sliding catches from his years with the Phillies.
By Wednesday, the Padres shifted gears again. Ahead of their game, they selected the contract of infielder/outfielder Samad Taylor from Triple-A El Paso.
Nick Castellanos San Diego Padres Philadelphia Phillies designated for assignment Samad Taylor Triple-A El Paso MLB
MLB is so ruthless lol.
They gave him a tribute video and then DFA him the next day?? That’s gotta feel terrible. Also wasn’t he already paid?? I’m lost.
So Philly owed him $20 million but Padres still cut him quick after signing him for minimum? Sounds like the real punishment was getting stuck in San Diego. .191 isn’t great but 39 games is like nothing.
I swear this happens every time they do those hometown tribute things. Like the fans get excited and then the team is like “nah” and brings up someone from Triple-A (Samad Taylor?) idk who that is. Feels like the Padres just wanted the highlight reel, not the player.