Nick Castellanos’ departure from Philadelphia after the 2025 season was an expected but still complicated end to a four-year run marked by production, postseason success and internal friction. Speaking Monday at Petco Park before the Phillies opened a three-game series against the Padres, Castellanos said he was told not to report to spring training after informing the club he planned to come. The veteran outfielder, who was entering the final year of his five-year, $100 million contract, said the move reflected a breakdown in communication that had grown more pronounced as his role shrank late last season.
Castellanos said he would have been open to returning to Philadelphia in a reduced role, but the Phillies moved on and he signed a one-year deal with San Diego in mid-February after camp had already opened. He credited Padres manager Craig Stammen and the organization’s approach for making his transition easier. Castellanos said the Padres have embraced him, kept communication direct and included him in conversations about the team’s direction, which has helped him settle into a part-time role.
The 2025 season had already pushed Castellanos toward an exit. He posted career lows in batting average and on-base percentage and matched a career low in OPS, was benched by manager Rob Thomson after a dugout incident involving an open beer can, and eventually lost playing time after Philadelphia added Harrison Bader at the trade deadline and promoted Otto Kemp. Castellanos acknowledged that frustration built up over time and said he has learned to address problems more directly rather than letting them accumulate.
While he declined to dwell on bitterness, Castellanos made clear that the way his time in Philadelphia ended was difficult. He said the Phillies handled the situation as they saw fit, while he moved on to a new clubhouse and a new staff. He also noted that several former teammates reached out, and he remains on good terms with many of them.
On the field, the move has not yet produced a rebound. In his 14th major league season, Castellanos is hitting .190 with four home runs and a career-low .578 OPS for San Diego, continuing a part-time role similar to the one he held late last year in Philadelphia. Even so, he said he is enjoying the environment and appreciates the Padres’ style and openness.
The Phillies are still paying him more than $19 million while relying on Adolis García in right field. García has struggled offensively, hitting .203 with a .607 OPS, though he has provided stronger defense. Philadelphia, meanwhile, is 26-27 but has improved since Don Mattingly took over as manager. Castellanos called Mattingly “the right man, right spot” and praised the relationship between Mattingly and Phillies general manager Preston Mattingly.
Despite the split, Castellanos said he looks back on his Philadelphia years with appreciation. He pointed to four straight postseason trips, deep October runs and many memorable moments. For him, the ending is simply another turn in a long career.
