Alex

Verdugo

Verdugo will get a chance to show he’s still a capable outfielder after a rough 2025 season that saw him slash .239/.296/.289 before being designated for assignment by Atlanta. He’ll need to be added to the 40-man roster to join the Padres, and he’ll need a big spring training for that conversation to take place.

Verdugo is now a free agent after passing through waivers unclaimed. The 29-year-old outfielder was designated for assignment earlier this week by Atlanta after hitting .239/.296/.289 with zero homers over 56 games with the club. He’ll likely have to settle for a minor league contract if he’s going to latch on elsewhere.

Verdugo is booted from the roster to make room for the reinstatement of Jurickson Profar. He struggled mightily in his time with Atlanta with a slash of .239/.296/.289 batting line with zero home runs over 56 games. If Verdugo goes unclaimed, he’ll be eligible to hit the free-agent market.

It looks to be another routine night off for the 29-year-old outfielder. Even with a right-hander on the hill, Verdugo will take a seat for the Braves in favor of Eli White. Verdugo’s usefulness from a fantasy perspective, even in the deepest of leagues, will likely come to an end when Jurickson Profar returns from his suspension on July 2.

Whether they want him or not, the Braves will be getting Profar back in just a couple of weeks (since it’s a firm 80-game suspension, the date could be pushed back if any Braves games get postponed). Alex Verdugo hasn’t been any good, so Profar, who is in the first season of a three-year, $42 million contract, figures to take over as the left fielder against right-handers, at least initially. He’ll be ineligible to participate in the postseason if the Braves get it together and make a run in the second half.

Despite the Braves facing a right-handed pitcher, White is making his second straight start over Alex Verdugo and his third in the last four games. White has slowed down since a hot first month of the season, which likely keeps him off fantasy radars outside of the deepest formats. However, it also seems like Alex Verdugo’s time as a starter in Atlanta is over.

There doesn’t appear to be anything to see her other than a routine rest game. We’d expect Acuña Jr. to be in the lineup for Game 2. Stuart Fairchild will start in right field and bat seventh with Eli White playing for Alex Verdugo in left field against a left-handed starter.

Verdugo did have three hits Sunday, but he’s now sitting at .200/.257/.246 in 70 plate appearances this month. At this rate, he might take a backseat to Eli White in left field after Ronald Acuña Jr. is activated.

Verdugo’s grounder up the middle scored Eli White from second. Verdugo also doubled earlier in the game. He entered the night in a 1-for-24 slump, and he needs to turn it on now that Ronald Acuña Jr.'s rehab assignment is about to start.

Verdugo is back in the leadoff spot after opening Friday’s contest on the bench with lefty Bailey Falter on the hill for Pittsburgh. The 28-year-old figures to continue leading off against right-handed pitching with Ozzie Albies, who led off Friday’s series opener at PNC Park, getting the occasional opportunity versus southpaws.