Nick Castellanos DFA'd by Padres amid Phillies Series Months After Landing Contract

San Diego Padres veteran outfielder Nick Castellanos won't be able to close out his highly anticipated return to Philadelphia with the club.

The Padres, who are in the middle of a three-game road series against Castellanos' old Philadelphia Phillies squad, announced on Wednesday that the 34-year-old has been designated for assignment. Castellanos, who spent the previous four seasons with the Phillies, signed a one-year deal with the Padres in February.

It was just last week that Castellanos was praising the treatment he received from the Padres' front office over what he experienced during his tenure with the Phillies.

"The front office consistently asks me questions about how I see things, and when they talk to me, it's straight — which is great, because then I know what's up," he said when asked about the difference between the two franchises, per Paul Casella of MLB.com.

Castellanos appeared in 39 games for San Diego this season, but he struggled to produce at the plate. He registered a .191 batting average, which would be the worst mark of his career, while adding four home runs and 20 RBI. He had 34 strikeouts despite not being an everyday player.

Castellanos faced his former Philadelphia squad for the first time when the Phillies visited the Padres for a three-game series last week. He recorded just one hit across eight at-bats, and San Diego lost all three games, including two shutouts.

At this stage in his career, Castellanos is not a difference-maker, but he could be a serviceable addition to contending teams as he continues to chase his first career World Series title.