Alex Verdugo, the New York Yankees’ left fielder, has struggled offensively this season. He is hitting.233, 40 points below than his career average. Verdugo has also suffered from hand sores and pains for the past three years. He saw a doctor during the All-Star break, and according to Randy Miller of NJ.com, he was advised he might be allergic to his batting gloves.
“Verdugo responded, stating that his allergic symptoms were caused by two substances in his Franklin batting gloves: cobalt and chromate. ‘Chromate is used to cure the leather,’ Verdugo explained. “And cobalt is found in colour dyes.” NJ Advance Media spoke with two doctors, one of whom feels Verdugo’s ailment is related to the ink in the numerous tattoos on his chest and arms. Neither has examined Verdugo, and both are speculating about potential causes and treatments.”
There are numerous unusual ailments in sports, but being allergic to batting gloves is a new one. Miller claims that 2% of persons are allergic to cobalt, while 6% are allergic to chromate. The Yankees must acquire Verdugo some new hitting gloves and hope he can recapture his early-season form.
Verdugo was hitting.275 with an OPS over.800 as of May 7, the Yankees’ 37th game of the season. Since then, he has batted only.224 with an OPS of.617. The Yankees need Verdugo to succeed in order to make a playoff run, and he must rise if he wants to stay with the Yankees.
Is Alex Verdugo part of the Yankees’ future plans?
In the fifth inning, New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo (24) hits a single against the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium.
Alex Verdugo was traded from the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees prior to the current season. He had just one year left on his contract, so the Red Sox cashed in, receiving a couple of solid assets in exchange. The Yankees made the trade because prospect Jasson Dominguez was out at the start of the season recovering from Tommy John surgery.
The deal established an outfield that included Verdugo, Aaron Judge, and Juan Soto. Soto holds the key to Verdugo’s future in the Bronx. It’s no secret that New York wishes to retain Soto in pinstripes. As he continues to demolish it offensively, his value rises. The Yankees will be unable to afford Verdugo and Soto this offseason.
Verdugo should not sign with any team until Soto does. The Yankees might offer him top-line money to play left field next season. If Soto stays, Verdugo will move on, possibly to a team that missed out on Soto.
To be a sought-after free agent, Verdugo must perform well down the stretch. Dominguez appeared for the Little League Classic on Sunday but did not record a hit, so Verdugo will have a shot. He hasn’t performed well as the leadoff or cleanup hitter, so the Yankees should consider moving him down the order.
If the Yankees want to win the World Series this season, Alex Verdugo needs to step up. Dominguez is anticipated to be promoted and slotted into the lineup when rosters expand in September. Now that his hands should be in better shape, Verdugo has about two weeks to crank up the pace.
