![\"Canning](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Canningmix.jpeg.3dff1f334536ea24bafb6d1fa04f03a1.jpeg\"\/)
\n<\/p>\n\n\tWith the first week of spring training coming to an end, the Padres have brought in reinforcements to the rotation and lineup.\n<\/p>\n
\n\tThe club on Saturday reportedly agreed to contracts with right-hander Griffin Canning and outfielder\/DH Nick Castellanos. Canning was on the free-agent market all offseason, while Castellanos became a free agent Thursday when the Phillies released him.\n<\/p>\n
\n\tBoth men figure to play significant roles for San Diego in 2026. Here’s where they might fit.\n<\/p>\n
\tWhat will be Griffin Canning’s role with the Padres?<\/p>\n
\n\tCanning is almost certain to take a spot in the rotation. The 29-year-old turned in a standout half-season with the New York Mets in 2025, pitching to a 3.77 ERA\/4.04 FIP over 76 1\/3 innings. But his New York tenure ended abruptly when he tore his left Achilles tendon during a start June 26 in Atlanta. He threw for teams at UCLA last week and reportedly topped out at 93 mph with his fastball.\n<\/p>\n
\n\tAs good as that it, the status of Canning’s slider is just as important. The pitch transformed him last season, The Mets got him to throw it more as they radically changed his pitch mix from his Angels days.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
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\n\tCanning will step into a rotation that’s led by Nick Pivetta, Joe Musgrove and Michael King. Randy Vasquez, J.P. Sears, Kyle Hart and Matt Waldron are among the pitchers in the mix for the other rotation spot.\n<\/p>\n
\tWhat will be Nick Castellanos’ role with the Padres?<\/p>\n
\n\tCastellanos could be an intriguing player in San Diego. The club wanted another bat, and the 33-year-old slugger fits the description. There are red flags, though. Castellanos showed steep decline with Philadelphia last season. His wRC+ plunged to 87, his on-base percentage fell to a career-low. 294, and his ISO fell to .150.\n<\/p>\n
\n\tBut there might have been a mitigating factor with those numbers. He suffered a knee injury July 25 at Yankee Stadium and then dealt with tendinitis in the knee the rest of the season. If he’s healthy, then maybe the swing improves and the production follows.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n\tThere was also his messy breakup with the Phils, which started in June when he confronted manager Rob Thomson in the dugout during a game in Miami, His quick signing indicates that there wasn’t much fear about him being a bad teammate.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n\tThe right-handed Castellanos figures to split at-bats with Gavin Sheets and another recent addition, Miguel Andujar at DH, first base and off the bench. His defense in the outfield is considered poor, but the Padres don’t need him to do much on the grass. He last played on the infield 2017, and that was at third base. He has never played first base.\n<\/p>\n
\n\tThis is a low-risk move for the Padres. They’ll only have to pay him the minimum MLB salary, $780,000, this season. The Phillies are responsible for the remainder of his $20 million 2026 salary after releasing him.\n<\/p>\n