The Atlanta Braves found themselves scrambling early in the 2025 season after free-agent addition Jurickson Profar was hit with an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs just before Opening Day. With Ronald Acuña Jr. still recovering from a torn ACL, GM Alex Anthopoulos brought in Alex Verdugo to help patch the outfield. While Verdugo delivered a few clutch moments, the experiment ultimately didn’t pay off.
Now, it’s officially over.
According to The Athletic’s David O’Brien, the Braves released Verdugo on Saturday after he cleared waivers. Once known for his solid contact hitting, the 29-year-old couldn’t get things going in Atlanta. In 56 games, he posted a .239 batting average, .296 OBP, and .585 OPS, failing to hit a single home run in 197 at-bats.
Verdugo Looking for a Fresh Start After Disappointing Braves Tenure
It’s unclear what the future holds for Verdugo. This marks the second straight season of underwhelming offensive production. While injuries on other teams may open a door, Verdugo will need to revamp his approach at the plate if he hopes to carve out a meaningful role again.
He was a solid contributor with the Boston Red Sox from 2020 to 2022 and looked like a potential All-Star in 2023 before a brutal slump derailed his momentum. At 29, there’s still time for a rebound, and it’s likely a few teams will at least consider offering him a minor league deal.
But time wasn’t on the Braves’ side.
Atlanta has dropped seven of its last nine games and is now eight games out of a National League Wild Card spot, falling behind teams like the Marlins and barely staying ahead of the Pirates. With the July 31 trade deadline fast approaching, the Braves are reaching a critical juncture—and so is Verdugo.
Leave a Reply