The Philadelphia Phillies have released outfielder Nick Castellanos, making him a free agent who can sign with any club for the league minimum.
Castellanos, still owed $20 million, is going into the final season of a five-year, $100 million contract. The Phillies will owe the entirety of that sum, minus the prorated portion of the league minimum.
Castellanos, who turns 34 on March 4, hit .250 with 17 homers and 72 RBIs in 147 games for the National League East champions last year.
Castellanos was benched late last season after he made what Phillies manager Rob Thomson described as «an inappropriate comment» after he was pulled for a defensive replacement. Castellanos said in September that communication with Thomson had been «questionable, at least in my experience.»
Adolis Garcia is expected to replace Castellanos in right field after he signed a one-year, $10 million contract with Philadelphia in December.
