What happened: Bob Nightengale reports the San Diego Padres designated Nick Castellanos for assignment on Thursday, ending his tenure with the club after roughly two months. The move closes what Nightengale framed as a short-lived experiment, with Castellanos failing to deliver the offensive lift San Diego sought when it added him.

Why it matters: The DFA mirrors the same roster shuffle that paired Castellanos's removal with a fresh selection, signaling the Padres are reshaping their lineup mix as the trade season nears. Eating playing time and payroll on an underperforming veteran underscores how quickly San Diego is willing to pivot in a tight National League race.

What to watch: Castellanos now enters the DFA window, during which the Padres can trade, release, or attempt to pass him through waivers. Watch whether a contender short on outfield depth places a claim before the window closes.