On Thursday, just days into spring training, the Philadelphia Phillies abruptly ended their prolonged situation with Nick Castellanos by releasing the veteran outfielder outright, according to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki. The Phillies had retained Castellanos throughout the offseason but failed to secure a trade partner, leading to this final decision.
President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski aimed to trade Castellanos to reduce the team’s financial obligations but was unsuccessful, forcing the Phillies to part ways despite the majority of Castellanos’ $20 million 2026 salary still being owed if he signs for league minimum elsewhere. The team’s official stance confirmed multiple times before the season was that they intended to move forward without him, especially after signing Adolis García to a one-year, $10 million deal last December for the right field position.
Nick Castellanos’ Rocky Four-Year Tenure in Philadelphia
Castellanos’ time with the Phillies was marked by highs and lows after he inked a five-year contract worth $20 million before the 2022 season. Joining Philadelphia after a standout year with the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park, expectations were high for the right fielder’s offensive impact.
However, his first season was disappointing, as Castellanos posted a .263 batting average with a .694 OPS and 13 home runs, a significant drop from the 34 homers he hit in 2021. He rebounded in 2023, slugging 29 home runs and driving in 106 runs, which earned him his second All-Star selection.
In 2024, Castellanos played the full 162-game schedule but saw his role reduced to a platoon in 2025, finishing that year with a .250 batting average, a .694 OPS, 17 home runs, and 72 RBIs over 147 games. His overall performance at the plate during his Phillies career included a .260 batting average, a .732 OPS, 82 home runs, and 326 RBIs across 602 games. Despite these moments at bat, his 2025 season ended with the lowest fWAR (-0.6) among all qualified hitters.
Defensive Struggles and Locker Room Dynamics
While Castellanos contributed offensively, his defense consistently drew criticism. Advanced metrics such as outs above average (OAA) and fielding run value (FRV) ranked him near the bottom among major league outfielders. These shortcomings affected the team’s overall defense in right field.
Nick Castellanos:#NLDS Game 3: Two HRNLDS Game 4: Two HR#Postseason pic.twitter.com/2ysrRhj4Qr
Known for his candid and sometimes prickly personality during interviews, Castellanos had a complicated relationship with Phillies manager Rob Thomson. Tensions escalated during the 2025 season, culminating in a benching in June after an incident where Castellanos reportedly “crossed a line” following a defensive substitution late in a game.
communication over the years has been questionable.
— Nick Castellanos, Outfielder
Despite these issues, Castellanos showed strong camaraderie with his teammates, exemplified by his immediate support for reliever Orion Kerkering after the latter’s pivotal error in the 2023 NLDS, rushing to console the young pitcher. His leadership in moments of adversity reflected a positive influence within the clubhouse.
Future Outlook for Castellanos and Its Impact on the Phillies
With the Phillies no longer responsible for Castellanos’ roster spot but still financially committed to his salary, the veteran outfielder is likely to attract interest from other teams willing to offer a bargain contract, although concerns about clubhouse chemistry could temper enthusiasm. Castellanos is reportedly considering a return to infield positions, which could broaden his opportunities in free agency.
Wherever Castellanos signs next, his return to Philadelphia will be closely watched given his tumultuous tenure and contributions. Meanwhile, the Phillies appear set to rely on Adolis García as their primary right fielder, signaling a new chapter for the club’s outfield configuration as they look to strengthen their roster heading into the upcoming season.
The Phillies have released Nick Castellanos.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) February 12, 2026
Nick Castellanos:#NLDS Game 3: Two HR
NLDS Game 4: Two HR#Postseason pic.twitter.com/2ysrRhj4Qr— MLB (@MLB) October 13, 2023
