TAMPA, Fla. — When Alex Verdugo walked into the Steinbrenner Field clubhouse early Sunday morning, he sported an attire reminiscent of Johnny Cash, dressed entirely in black. Despite his seemingly cheerful demeanor, there was trouble brewing.
However, the mood quickly shifted when at 10 a.m., the Yankees made an announcement that Verdugo wouldn’t be part of the lineup due to a left leg contusion.
Verdugo sustained the injury during Saturday’s game against the Orioles when he was struck in the leg by a pitch from Orioles left-hander Cole Irwin in the first inning.
Manager Boone commented, “He got smoked, so he’s just bruised.”
Despite the injury, Verdugo soldiered on for two more at-bats before exiting the game in the sixth inning along with other starters.
Acquired by the Yankees during the Winter Meetings in December in exchange for three minor-league pitchers, Verdugo started his Yankees’ spring training debut with a double in the first inning but has struggled since then, going hitless in eight at-bats, resulting in a .125 average across four games.
In Saturday’s game against the Orioles, where the Yankees suffered a 7-3 loss, Verdugo went 0-for-2 with the hit by pitch, a double-play groundball, and a flyout.
Initially slated to start in left field against the Tigers on Sunday and batting sixth, Verdugo was replaced by Brandon Lockridge.