Alex Verdugo’s season has come to an abrupt end due to a shoulder injury, leading the San Diego Padres to terminate his minor league contract, according to Sports Illustrated on May 13 (KST). The 30-year-old outfielder signed a minor league deal with the Padres in March but appeared in only two spring training games, recording one hit in five at-bats. Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported on social media that Verdugo sustained a shoulder injury requiring surgery, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.
Verdugo made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017 and has since played for the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Atlanta Braves. Over nine major league seasons, he holds a career batting average of .270 with 70 home runs and 328 RBIs in 856 games. Sports Illustrated noted that Verdugo will need to demonstrate his hitting ability to other teams in order to continue his playing career.
