Two days after a high-profile split with the Philadelphia Phillies, veteran outfielder Nick Castellanos has agreed to sign with the San Diego Padres. The Padres will pay Castellanos the veteran minimum salary of $780,000 for the 2026 season, while Philadelphia will remain responsible for the remainder of the $20 million left on his contract at the time of his release.

The Phillies officially released Castellanos on Thursday after spending months attempting to trade the final year of his deal. San Diego had been among the teams involved in recent discussions with Philadelphia regarding a potential salary dump, as the Padres sought to add power without taking on significant financial commitments. Pending a physical, Castellanos will join the Padres at minimal cost, with the Phillies covering nearly his entire salary despite no longer employing him.

Castellanos, who turns 34 next month, is expected to fill a versatile role in San Diego. He spent much of the offseason preparing to play first base for the first time in his professional career and is likely to see time there, in the corner outfield, and as a designated hitter. A former third baseman, Castellanos’ positional flexibility could prove valuable for a Padres roster looking to maximize offense while managing a tight budget.

A two-time All-Star, Castellanos parlayed his first All-Star appearance into a four-year, $100 million free-agent deal with Philadelphia. While he returned to the All-Star Game in 2023 and continued to provide league-average offense, his defensive struggles in right field diminished his overall value. Last season, Castellanos hit .250 with 17 home runs and 72 RBIs in 147 games for the National League East champions, production that San Diego hopes can improve its lineup in a complementary role.