Overview
- Verdugo agreed to a minor-league contract and will report to the Padres’ minor-league facility in Peoria, Arizona, without a big-league camp invite, per the San Diego Union-Tribune.
- The deal does not take a 40-man roster spot and, with the outfield largely set, he is not expected to make the Opening Day roster barring injuries, according to MLB.com.
- In 2025 with the Braves, he hit .239 with a .585 OPS and 12 RBIs over 56 games before being designated for assignment and released in early July.
- Across nine MLB seasons with the Dodgers, Red Sox, Yankees and Braves, he owns a .270/.326/.406 line with 70 home runs, and he was a principal piece in the trade that sent Mookie Betts to Los Angeles.
- San Diego’s interest dates back to 2024 trade talks and free-agent discussions, and the club views him as left-handed depth who can play all three outfield spots if he hits his way into consideration.