Overview
- The San Diego Padres released Nick Castellanos on Friday, following a designation for assignment earlier in the week and making him likely to clear waivers and become a free agent.
- Castellanos hit .191 with a .560 OPS, four home runs and 20 RBIs in 39 games for San Diego, and reporters flagged sharp declines this season against offspeed and breaking pitches.
- San Diego signed Castellanos for roughly the league minimum before the season so the move cost the club only a modest portion of his larger contract that the Philadelphia Phillies still largely carry.
- The roster change also moved right-handed reliever Jeremiah Estrada to the injured list and prompted the recall of David Morgan from Triple-A to fill the vacancy.
- Teammates voiced clear disappointment at the decision, with Manny Machado saying the clubhouse was "devastated," and the release comes as the Padres try to stop a 1-9 slide that has left them 32-29 in the NL West.