PEORIA, Ariz. — A busy morning for the Padres saw them possibly fill both of their glaring needs a day before their first full-squad workout.
The team has agreed to deals with starting pitcher Griffin Canning and outfielder Nick Castellanos.
It was no secret that filling out their rotation and adding a veteran bat were the Padres’ remaining priorities.
Castellanos will make the major league minimum $780,000 on his one-year deal, as the Phillies are paying the rest of his $20 million salary after releasing him earlier this week. Terms of Canning’s deal were not immediately known.
The team has not announced either move. Both deals are pending the completion of physicals.
Castellanos, a right-handed hitter who has 250 career home runs, is expected to add first base to his resume with the Padres. Should that experiment work, it would give the team a complement to left-handed-hitting Gavin Sheets. Castellanos will likely also see time at designated hitter and fill in at the corner outfield spots.
New York Mets starting pitcher Griffin Canning throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Canning, a 29-year-old right-hander, started 16 games for the Mets last season and 94 for the Angels between 2019 and ‘24. He brings a 4.65 ERA into this year after posting a 3.77 ERA over 76 1/3 innings last year. An Achilles rupture in June ended what was to that point his finest MLB season.
He joins what is probably a five-man competition for the final spot in the rotation.
Already in camp were JP Sears and Matt Waldron and non-roster invitees Marco Gonzales and Triston McKenzie, all of whom have significant major league starting experience.
The top three spots are filled by Nick Pivetta, Michael King and Joe Musgrove. Randy Vásquez is a solid front-runner to earn the fourth spot.
Castellanos, 33, began his MLB career with the Detroit Tigers in 2013 and also played for the Cubs and Reds.
He hit .250./.294/.400 with 17 home runs in 147 games for the Phillies in 2025.
His release came amid reports of conflicts with the staff and teammates.
“I love this game, I love being a teammate and I am addicted to winning,” Castellanos said in an Instagram message posted the day he was released. “I will learn from this.”