Alex Verdugo DFA’d by Atlanta Braves After Disappointing Half-Season

Alex Verdugo’s brief tenure with the Atlanta Braves has come to an abrupt end. The former New York Yankees outfielder was designated for assignment (DFA) on Wednesday, barely halfway through the season, as reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. This move follows a disappointing performance and signals a significant setback in Verdugo’s MLB career.

Verdugo’s Decline and the Braves’ Decision

Verdugo’s time in Atlanta was marked by a sharp decline in performance. After a promising start, hitting .341/.396/.455 in his first 48 plate appearances, his numbers plummeted. He finished his Braves stint with a .239/.296/.289 slash line and zero home runs in 213 plate appearances. This underwhelming performance, coupled with the return of Jurickson Profar from suspension, led to the Braves’ decision to designate Verdugo for assignment.

The Braves’ decision reflects their need to optimize their roster and pursue more productive options.

Verdugo’s struggles highlight a concerning trend in his recent performance.

Verdugo’s Recent Struggles and Career Trajectory

Verdugo’s struggles in Atlanta are part of a broader pattern of inconsistent performance. In 2024, his lone season with the New York Yankees, he batted .233/.291/.356 with only 13 home runs in 621 plate appearances. This followed a less-than-stellar season with the Boston Red Sox, which led to an extended offseason search for a new team before eventually signing with the Braves.

Verdugo’s career trajectory appears to be on a downward trend.

His inability to consistently perform at a high level raises questions about his future in Major League Baseball.

The Impact of Profar’s Return and Roster Moves

The Braves’ decision to DFA Verdugo was directly related to the return of Jurickson Profar from an 80-game PED suspension. Profar’s reinstatement created a roster crunch, necessitating a move to clear a spot. Verdugo, given his recent struggles, became the unfortunate casualty of this roster reshuffle.

Profar’s return created a competition for playing time.

The Braves’ decision underscores their commitment to field the most competitive roster possible.

Verdugo’s Future: Triple-A and Beyond

The Braves announced that Verdugo would report to their Triple-A affiliate, the Gwinnett Stripers. This move offers Verdugo a chance to regain his form and potentially work his way back to the Major Leagues. However, the path back to the big leagues isn’t guaranteed and will depend on his performance at the minor league level.

Verdugo’s assignment to Triple-A represents a last chance to prove himself.

His future in Major League Baseball remains uncertain.

Key Takeaways

• Alex Verdugo was designated for assignment by the Atlanta Braves after a disappointing first half of the season.
• His struggles followed a promising start and highlight a pattern of inconsistent performance in recent years.
• Jurickson Profar’s return from suspension contributed to the Braves’ decision.
• Verdugo will report to Triple-A Gwinnett, where he will have an opportunity to improve his performance and potentially return to the Major Leagues.
• Verdugo’s future in MLB remains uncertain.