San Diego Padres Sign Alex Verdugo to Minor League Contract
The San Diego Padres have announced the signing of experienced outfielder Alex Verdugo via a Minor League agreement. The player will join the organization’s minor league camp, which starts this week.
Verdugo, of Mexican roots and who will celebrate his 30th birthday in May, played in 56 games last season with the Atlanta Braves, achieving a batting average of .239 with an OPS of .585.
Over his nine seasons in the Major Leagues, the left-handed hitter has defended the colors of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and Atlanta. In his career, he has an offensive line of .270/.326/.406 with 70 home runs.
This signing represents a low-risk strategy for San Diego, which seeks to reinforce its outfield depth. Initially, the team does not have available space on its Major League roster for another corner outfielder, but Verdugo could become an option if he performs well in the minors or if any injury occurs on the team.
Originally selected by the Dodgers in the 2014 amateur draft, Verdugo was a key piece in the trade that sent Mookie Betts to Los Angeles before the 2020 season, a move that brought him to Boston.
Subsequently, he was transferred to the Yankees prior to the 2024 season and participated as a starter in all postseason games that year, in which New York advanced to the World Series.
Later he signed with the Braves for the 2025 season, but was released in July after facing offensive difficulties during the first half of the schedule. Now he will seek to relaunch his career within the San Diego organization.
