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Braves Make Alex Verdugo Announcement After Spencer Strider News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Zach Kaplan | Last updated Apr 17, 2025 1:55 PM ET

Spencer Strider made his 2025 season debut on Wednesday, going five innings and giving up two runs with five strikeouts. It was a solid debut for the 2023 All-Star with the kind of leash that was to be expected.

With a 5-13 record to start the season, the Atlanta Braves have been looking for some kind of spark to ignite the lineup, which has been limited to four runs or fewer in seven of their last nine games.

Until Ronald Acuna Jr makes his season debut, which will help Atlanta through Jurickson Profar's suspension, the Braves need more production out of their outfield.

On Thursday, they recalled Alex Verdugo from Triple-A Gwinnett and sent down Bryan de la Cruz.

The team hopes Verdugo's confidence and prior ability to hit in the clutch will help a lineup desperate for some pop.

Michael Harris II has a .179 average and .507 OPS in 2025, while Stuart Fairchild has an anemic .063 average and .251 OPS in 16 games. Jarred Kelenic isn't doing much better with a .483 OPS.

The 29-year-old Verdugo went the entire offseason without being signed, with a March 18 report even circulating that he hadn't received a major league offer.

That all changed when Verdugo signed a one-year, $1.5 million minor league contract with the Braves on March 20, ending what was at the time a confusingly quiet offseason for the former Yankee.

Verdugo will promise high-quality defense and arm strength, as he has throughout his career, though whether he can turn it around at the plate remains to be seen; much of Verdugo's 2024 season was stained by rumors of a latex allergy that made his hands sensitive to batting gloves.

Verdugo will look to start anew with a new organization that'll take whatever they can get.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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