Verdugo (back/oblique) is running outside and throwing Thursday, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's the first time the 23-year-old has thrown since September, so it appears to be a significant step as he works his way back up to full strength from an oblique strain and stress fracture in his back. Verdugo remains without a timeline for his return, leaving his status for Opening Day as questionable, at best.

Verdugo is dealing with a stress fracture in his back as the Red Sox begin spring training and might not be ready for Opening Day, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

Verdugo was forced to miss the final two months of the 2019 season, and the Red Sox are bringing him along slowly to begin spring training. The team is reportedly happy with his progress in his rehab, but it will likely exercise caution. However, interim manager Ron Roenicke said Saturday that Verdugo might not be ready for Opening Day even if everything goes according to plan. The 23-year-old will likely serve as an everyday player for Boston once he's healthy after he was acquired via trade earlier in February.

Verdugo (oblique) may not be ready for Opening Day, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Verdugo is still working past a back/oblique injury that kept him sidelined for the final two months of the 2019 season, leaving his status for the start of the 2020 season in question. The Red Sox apparently knew of this possibility prior to trading for Verdugo, which explains the team's decision to sign veteran outfielder Kevin Pillar. Once healthy, Verdugo figures to fill an everyday role for Boston after slashing .294/.342/.475 across 106 games last season.

Verdugo (oblique) was mentioned along with Andrew Benintendi as a possible leadoff man by interim manager Ron Roenicke, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Verdugo should benefit from his recent trade from the Dodgers, as he should fill an everyday role in the outfield and has a good shot to be a key piece in the Red Sox's lineup. Mookie Betts' move to Los Angeles in that trade certainly weakens Boston's offense, but hitting in front of Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers and J.D. Martinez is still quite a good spot to be.

Verdugo (oblique) will join the Red Sox following an agreed upon deal with the Dodgers on Sunday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

An agreement has been reached that will send Verdugo, Jeter Downs and catching prospect Connor Wong to Boston in return for Mookie Betts and David Price. Verdugo was putting together a breakout season before straining his oblique in August, hitting .294/.342/.475 in 106 games prior to the injury. The 23-year-old is expected to replace Betts in right field after arriving in Boston.

Verdugo's (oblique) reported move to the Red Sox hit a snag Saturday as the Twins withdrew from their portion of the three-team trade, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Red Sox weren't happy with what they saw in Brusdar Graterol's medical history and demanded an extra prospect from the Twins to complete the deal. The two sides weren't close on what the caliber of that prospect should be, so the Twins elected to withdraw from the pact. The Dodgers and Red Sox are still expected to find a way to complete the trade, which would send Verdugo to Boston with Mookie Betts and David Price going the other way, but for now, Verdugo remains with Los Angeles.

Verdugo (oblique) was traded from the Dodgers to the Red Sox in exchange for Mookie Betts and David Price as part of a three-team trade with the Twins on Tuesday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Twins' portion of the deal includes acquiring Kenta Maeda from the Dodgers and sending pitching prospect Brusdar Graterol to the Red Sox. Verdugo went down with an oblique injury in early August and missed the rest of the regular season and playoffs, but he was in the midst of a breakout season with a .294/.342/.475 slash line in 106 games prior to the injury. The 23-year-old figures to replace Betts in right field for the Red Sox.

Verdugo (oblique) has yet to resume baseball activities, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

An oblique strain has kept Verdugo off the field since early August. His goal is to be ready to play by Opening Day, but he'll need to make some tangible progress before it's clear that will be possible.

Verdugo (oblique) isn't expected to play this postseason, JP Hoornstra of The Orange County Register reports.

EDGE Analysis

Verdugo has been sidelined since Aug. 4 due to a right oblique strain, and while the Dodgers were initially optimistic about the outfielder's chances of returning for the playoffs, it now appears his 2019 campaign is over. "It's not bad," said Verdugo. "It's just when I get to that little extra range, that full range is when I feel a little bit of it." When asked about Verdugo's recovery process, skipper Dave Roberts stated "It's slow. He's moving around as you see. But as far as baseball activities, he's really not doing a whole lot. So, to see him ready at all this postseason - very unlikely."

Verdugo (oblique) has resumed running and is hopeful for a return in the National League Championship Series if the Dodgers advance, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's encouraging that Verdugo has resumed running, although he also said that he is still unable to swing a bat without experiencing back pain. The 23-year-old has been on the shelf since early August with a right oblique strain. Despite Verdugo's optimism, manager Dave Roberts indicated that it's "very unlikely" that he returns during the postseason, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.