Jurickson Profar received a harsh 80-game suspension, a significant loss for the Atlanta Braves early in the 2025 MLB season. However, not all hope is lost, as the team has a former Aaron Judge teammate who might be ready to join the 26-man roster.
The news of Profar’s suspension is tough, but the Braves have Alex Verdugo, who played in the 2024 World Series alongside Judge. Verdugo, who recently signed a minor league deal with Atlanta after being without a team, could provide much-needed help.
It’s not official yet, but journalist Jon Heyman reacted to the 80-game suspension news on his personal X account, writing about Verdugo, “This turns out to be a very fortuitous signing.” It’s worth noting that Verdugo did not participate in the Braves’ spring training.
Another Braves reporter, Grant McAuley, highlighted that Verdugo is among the team’s outfield options. However, there are other players who could make the roster instead of Judge’s former teammate.
Who else is available for the Braves besides Alex Verdugo?
According to McAuley, the Braves have up to five options, including Verdugo. The other four players are Jarred Kelenic, Bryan De La Cruz, Eli White, and Stuart Fairchild. The decision is expected to be made within a few days, determining who will step up in that position.
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Is Verdugo the right fit to replace Profar?
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Verdugo’s experience could be key for the Braves
It’s important to remember that Verdugo not only played with the Yankees in 2024 but also contributed significantly with 621 plate appearances, recording 74 runs, 130 hits, 13 home runs, and a .233 batting average—his lowest since 2017. Despite this, he played a crucial role in helping the Yankees reach the World Series