The San Diego Padres have reached agreements with outfielder Nick Castellanos and pitcher Griffin Canning, both pending physical examinations. These acquisitions were announced shortly before the team's first full-squad workout.
Castellanos' deal is for the Major League minimum of $780,000 for the 2026 season, with the Philadelphia Phillies covering the majority of his remaining salary. The terms of Canning's contract have not been disclosed.
Nick Castellanos Joins Padres
The Padres signed Nick Castellanos, a 34-year-old right-handed hitter, following his release by the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Padres will pay Castellanos $780,000 for the 2026 season, which is the Major League Baseball minimum salary. The Phillies will be responsible for $19.22 million of Castellanos' $20 million salary for 2026.
This agreement was reached after the Padres and Phillies reportedly engaged in trade discussions regarding Castellanos prior to his release two days earlier.
Castellanos is represented by Mato Sports Management. His signing follows San Diego's recent agreement with infielder/outfielder Miguel Andujar. The Padres have an open spot on their 40-man roster, meaning no corresponding move is required upon the deal's finalization.
Expected Role and Performance
Castellanos is expected to compete for positions as a designated hitter (DH) or bench player. He is also being considered for first base, a position he has not played professionally. This potential move to first base may be aimed at addressing past defensive challenges he encountered as a third baseman and corner outfielder.
Current roster projections list Gavin Sheets as the Padres' primary first baseman, suggesting Castellanos could serve as a platoon partner. Ramon Laureano is anticipated to play in left field, with Miguel Andujar primarily expected to function as a DH. Fernando Tatis Jr. occupies the right field position.
During his four seasons with the Phillies, which stemmed from a five-year, $100 million contract signed in the 2021-22 offseason, Castellanos recorded a 0.8 fWAR and a 100 wRC+ over 2,477 plate appearances. His batting line was .260/.306/.426, including 82 home runs.
In 2025, he hit .250 with 17 home runs in 147 games. His tenure in Philadelphia included defensive challenges, particularly in right field. He holds a career OPS of .785 and has participated in six postseasons.
Previous Tenure and Reported Incidents
Reports from Castellanos' time with the Phillies indicated tension, with him reportedly disagreeing with suggestions to modify his swing or be removed for defensive reasons, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. There were also reported disagreements with manager Rob Thomson and hitting coach Kevin Long.
On June 16, Castellanos was removed from a game for a late-game substitute. During this incident, he was reportedly prevented by teammates from consuming a beverage in the dugout. Castellanos later addressed this incident on Instagram, stating he brought a beer into the dugout and discussed team restrictions with manager Rob Thomson. He also expressed his commitment to the game and winning.
Griffin Canning Joins Pitching Staff
The Padres also reached an agreement with Griffin Canning, a 29-year-old right-handed pitcher. Canning started 16 games for the New York Mets last season and accumulated 94 starts for the Los Angeles Angels between 2019 and 2024. His career ERA stands at 4.65.
In 2025, he posted a 3.77 ERA over 76 1/3 innings before his season concluded in June due to an Achilles rupture.
The specific terms of Canning's contract have not been disclosed. Due to his recent injury, he may not be ready to start the season, which could affect his immediate impact on the competition for starting rotation spots out of spring training.
Padres Pitching Depth
The Padres' projected top three rotation spots are held by Nick Pivetta, Michael King, and Joe Musgrove. Randy Vásquez is considered a leading candidate for the fourth spot. Other pitchers competing for additional starting roles include JP Sears, Matt Waldron, Marco Gonzales, and Triston McKenzie. The team also has Kyle Hart and several minor-league pitchers available.