The veteran outfielder, Alex Verdugo, was officially released by the Atlanta Braves on Sunday after clearing waivers, according to The Athletic’s David O’Brien.
Verdugo had been designated for assignment last Wednesday to make room for Jurickson Profar, who was reinstated from an 80-game PED suspension. With the Braves outfield picture shifting fast, Verdugo simply didn’t have a role anymore.
A Start That Looked Promising
At first, Verdugo looked like a savvy under-the-radar addition. After signing a one-year, $1.5 million deal late in spring, he spent some time in Triple-A getting into game shape and made his Braves debut a few weeks after Profar’s suspension.
His early production turned heads. Verdugo hit .322 with an .825 OPS over his first 14 games. He had steady contact, occasional pop, and a left-handed bat in a lineup that needed balance. But it didn’t last. Over his next 42 games, Verdugo hit just .203 with a .481 OPS, and his role steadily diminished.
Once Profar returned—and immediately went 4-for-12 with two homers in his first three games back—the writing was on the wall. Profar’s reemergence, combined with bench depth from Eli White and Stuart Fairchild, left Verdugo as the odd man out.
A Crowded Braves Outfield—and a Clear Direction
The Braves’ outfield has been a puzzle all season long. With Ronald Acuña Jr. out for the earlier part of the year, no one has truly grabbed the reins in the corner spots. Verdugo was one of several names cycled through in hopes of a breakout performance. But with Profar returning and producing immediately, the Braves saw no need to hang onto a cold bat.
White and Fairchild are both capable of covering all three outfield positions and offering plus speed. That gives manager Brian Snitker more versatility late in games—something Verdugo didn’t bring to the table.
What’s Next for Verdugo?
Now a free agent, Verdugo will likely look for another opportunity. He will be looking for team that needs left-handed depth or outfield insurance. But it’s worth noting: he signed with the Braves only after no other club offered a major league deal in March. His upside is limited, and with teams preparing for the stretch run, interest could be lukewarm.
Still, he’s just 28, and while his bat has gone cold lately, his early run in Atlanta and defensive competence could earn him a minor-league deal somewhere else before long.
Bigger Picture for the Braves
The decision to cut ties with Verdugo signals a few things: the Braves are moving quickly to find workable offensive combinations in the outfield, Profar is clearly part of the plan, and there’s no time to wait for struggling veterans to heat up.
With the playoff race tightening and roster space at a premium, Atlanta is opting for performance over reputation, and Verdugo, unfortunately, couldn’t deliver enough of the former.
His time in Atlanta was short, and for a moment, promising. But in a season where the Braves are scraping for consistency, every roster spot matters—and Verdugo just ran out of room.
