SCOTTSDALE, Arizona. – The San Diego Padres announced the signing of veteran outfielder Alex Verdugo via a Minor League contract. The player will join the organization’s minor league camp, which begins this week.
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Verdugo, of Mexican descent and who will turn 30 in May, participated in 56 games during the past season with the
Atlanta Braves, recording a batting average of .239 with an OPS of .585.
Over nine seasons in the Major Leagues, the left-handed hitter has worn the uniforms of the
Los Angeles Dodgers,
Boston Red Sox,
New York Yankees and Atlanta. In that time, he has accumulated an offensive line of .270/.326/.406 with 70 home runs.
The signing represents a low-risk bet for San Diego, which is looking to strengthen its outfield depth. Initially, the team does not have available space on its Major League roster for another corner outfielder, although Verdugo could become an option if he manages to stand out in the minors or if an injury arises within the squad.
Originally selected by the Dodgers in the 2014 amateur draft, Verdugo was a key part of the trade that sent star
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 experiencing offensive difficulties during the first half of the schedule. Now he will seek to relaunch his career within the San Diego organization.
