The Atlanta Braves have designated former New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo for assignment, to make room for Jurickson Profar's return to the roster.
Verdugo, 29, was the Los Angeles Dodgers' top prospect in 2019, and was traded to the Boston Red Sox in 2020 as part of a deal that brought Mookie Bets to Los Angeles. Following a 2021 season with the Red Sox that saw them make it to the American League Championship Series, Verdugo's numbers have declined, and he has been faulted for a lack of hustle by leadership. Red Sox manager Alex Cora benched him repeatedly on those grounds, and in 2023, they traded him to the Yankees for $9.