Alex Verdugo Signs Contract with the San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres have announced the signing of experienced outfielder Alex Verdugo to a Minor League contract. The player will join the organization’s minor league camp, which will begin this week.
Verdugo, of Mexican origin 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 and an OPS of .585.
In his nine seasons in the Major Leagues, the left-handed hitter has played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Atlanta. During his career, he has accumulated 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. 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.
Verdugo was selected by the Dodgers in the 2014 amateur draft. He was a key part of the trade that brought Mookie Betts to Los Angeles before the 2020 season, which took him to Boston.
Subsequently, he was transferred to the Yankees before the 2024 season and participated as a starter in all postseason games that year, where New York reached the World Series.
Later, he signed with the Braves for the 2025 season, but was released in July after facing offensive difficulties in the first half of the season. Now he will seek to relaunch his career with the San Diego organization.
