On March 20, Atlanta Braves player Alex Verdugo, a late free agent, signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Braves. In 2024, he had just had a disappointing season with the New York Yankees.
Verdugo never found success in Atlanta. This season, the 29-year-old has made 213 plate appearances. One of four players without a home run, he is ranked 217th in wRC+ out of 229 players who have made at least 200 plate appearances.
Alex Verdugo Out, Jurickson Profar In
Alex Verdugo, a disappointing outfielder, is leaving the Braves, as Jurickson Profar is eligible to return from suspension on Wednesday. Verdugo has been assigned to free up a spot on the 26-man roster for Profar, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
There isn’t a clear place for Verdugo to go if he clears waivers because of the small offseason market and his poor performance at the plate thus far in 2025. A team in need of a left-handed hitter for an outfield platoon might be able to use Verdugo.
The Braves are designating OF Alex Verdugo for assignment, per @Ken_Rosenthal pic.twitter.com/df25IU9RxM
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 2, 2025
Verdugo stated during the World Series against the Dodgers last season that he would like to don the pinstripes once more after the season. Before Game 5, Verdugo noted, “I know it wasn’t my best personal year on offense.”
“I think there would be [the possibility] that maybe one day we can come back. If it’s not next year, maybe it’s another year. But I would like to come back and just show the type of player that I really am. I think we’ve seen it defensively, seen it at times offensively, but I’m usually a lot more consistent.”
As for Profar, for whom the space has been cleared, MLB announced on March 31 that Profar has been suspended for 80 games following a positive performance-enhancing drug test. He had signed a three-year, $42 million contract, making him a significant offseason addition for the team.
Before it was revealed that he had tested positive for chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a performance-enhancing drug that violates Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, he had only participated in four games.
If the Braves qualify for the postseason, Profar would also be ineligible due to the PED punishment. Although he has not yet been formally added to Atlanta’s 26-man roster, he was qualified to play on Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Angels.
Profar instantly demonstrated his talent after serving his suspension for performance-enhancing drugs on Wednesday. He matched the home runs hit by Matt Olson and Sean Murphy in an 8-3 victory over the Angels at Truist Park to mark his first game since March 30.
Also Read: ‘Hallelujah’ – Braves Fans All Have The Same Thing To Say on Atlanta’s Alex Verdugo Decision
Saturday and Wednesday were the Braves’ only two wins in the past seven games. He returned to a Braves team that was 38-46 entering Wednesday and getting virtually no production from left field.