Verdugo went 0-for-5 with a strikeout in Friday's win over the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

The 28-year-old outfielder hit leadoff in his debut for Atlanta, but he was unable to reach base despite a couple hard-hit balls. Verdugo is hoping to regain his form after a rough 2024 campaign with the Yankees -- over the five seasons prior, he slashed .283/.338/.432 between the Dodgers and Red Sox.

Verdugo will start in left field and bat leadoff in Friday's game versus the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

Verdugo is not only being thrown right into the lineup for his Atlanta debut, but he's being placed at the top of the batting order, as well. The veteran outfielder should play regularly for his new club, at least against right-handed pitching. Verdugo slashed only .233/.291/.356 across 149 regular-season games for the Yankees in 2024.

Atlanta recalled Verdugo from Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Verdugo played nine games at Gwinnett after signing with Atlanta in late March, slashing .207/.303/.448 with two home runs and a 2:2 K:BB over 33 plate appearances. The 28-year-old is coming off a lackluster 2024 campaign that saw him post a .647 OPS across 149 regular-season contests, but with Atlanta's injuries and lack of production in the corner-outfield spots, along with Jurickson Profar's PED suspension, Verdugo should receive something close to everyday playing time.

Verdugo is expected to join Atlanta's active roster this week, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Verdugo has participated in seven games with Triple-A Gwinnett, going 4-for-22 with a pair of home runs, including one long ball on Sunday. It's uncertain whether Verdugo will join Atlanta on Monday for the start of its series in Toronto or on Friday when the club begins a homestand, but "all signs point" to the veteran outfielder being recalled this week, per O'Brien. Jarred Kelenic and Bryan De La Cruz have both struggled, so Verdugo figures to immediately get an opportunity at regular playing time in the outfield corners for Atlanta.

Atlanta signed Verdugo to a one-year, $1.5 million contract and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

Verdugo's free-agent market has been quiet all winter, but he's finally managed to land a major-league deal a week before Opening Day. It's not clear when Verdugo might be able to play, but when he's ready he will offer an alternative to Jarred Kelenic in right field until Ronald Acuna (knee) is ready. Verdugo slashed only .233/.291/.356 across 149 regular-season games for the Yankees in 2024.

Verdugo has yet to receive an offer for a major-league deal since becoming a free agent in November, a league source tells Brendan Kuty of The Athletic.

EDGE Analysis

Verdugo lacks the power profile most teams value in corner outfielders, but as an under-30 player with a career 101 wRC+ over parts of eight seasons in the majors, it comes as a surprise that he apparently hasn't been offered anything more than a minor-league deal throughout the winter and spring. Given his track record in the big leagues, Verdugo has understandably been unwilling to sign what he perceives as a below-market deal, but he may have to wait for a team's outfield depth to be tested by injuries early in the season before he gets an offer to his liking. While he waits for an opportunity, Verdugo has reportedly kept himself in playing shape by training on his own at his home in Arizona.

Verdugo is running out of time to sign with a team before the start of the season, Matt Ehalt of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Verdugo had been linked to the Mets, Blue Jays, Astros, Angels and Pirates this offseason, but those clubs either no longer have interest or they're simply not willing to offer the veteran outfielder what he feels he's worth. The 28-year-old slashed only .233/.291/.356 across 149 regular-season games for the Yankees in 2024 but graded out as a plus defender in left field.

Verdugo is expected to start in left field in Game 2 of the ALDS versus Kansas City on Monday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Verdugo started in Game 1 and came through with a big performance, going 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs and an RBI. His seventh-inning RBI single broke a 5-5 tie, providing what proved to be the winning run. Verdugo's expected start in Game 2 seems to indicate that he's currently the preferred option in left field over rookie Jasson Dominguez, as the Yankees are electing to deploy the lefty-hitting Verdugo over the switch-hitting Dominguez against southpaw Cole Ragans.

Verdugo is expected to start in left field for Game 1 of the ALDS against the Royals on Saturday, Andy Martino of SNY.tv reports.

EDGE Analysis

Verdugo split starts in left field with Jasson Dominguez toward the end of the regular season after the latter was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre on Sept. 9. The duo had a similar slash line during that split, but it appears manager Aaron Boone will go with the veteran Verdugo for Game 1 of the ALDS. Verdugo's lone postseason appearance was in 2021 with the Red Sox, when he slashed .310/.383/.452 with one home run and six RBI across 47 plate appearances.

Verdugo hit a solo home run in his lone at-bat in Thursday's 10-1 win over the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

Verdugo has had to share left field with Jasson Dominguez in recent weeks. In September, Verdugo has gone 14-for-56 (.250) with two homers and five RBI over 17 games, which hasn't been enough to claw back playing time. Verudgo is at a .234/.293/.359 slash line with 13 homers, 59 RBI, 74 runs scored, 28 doubles and a stolen base over 147 contests this season.