In a surprising turn of events, the Atlanta Braves have officially parted ways with veteran outfielder Alex Verdugo, who cleared waivers and was released by the team on July 5, 2025, as reported by The Athletic’s David O’Brien. This move marks the end of Verdugo’s brief and tumultuous stint with the Braves, a tenure that began with promise but ultimately fizzled out due to persistent offensive struggles and a crowded outfield. The decision to release Verdugo came shortly after the Braves designated him for assignment on July 2, making room for the return of outfielder Jurickson Profar, who was reinstated from an 80-game suspension for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.

Verdugo, 29, signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with Atlanta late in the offseason, a bargain deal for a player with a history of solid production. Initially, he was expected to serve as a reserve outfielder behind Jarred Kelenic, but Kelenic’s struggles at the plate led to his demotion to Triple-A Gwinnett, thrusting Verdugo into a more prominent role. The early returns were encouraging. In his first 14 games with the Braves, Verdugo batted an impressive .322 with an .825 OPS, showcasing the contact-hitting ability and defensive reliability that made him a valuable asset during his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox. However, his performance took a sharp downturn, mirroring the struggles that plagued him during the 2024 season with the New York Yankees.

From May 6 onward, Verdugo’s production plummeted, as he posted a meager .203 batting average with a .481 OPS over his final 42 games. In 197 at-bats across 56 games with the Braves, he failed to hit a single home run, managed just 12 RBIs, and posted a .585 OPS, a far cry from the .283/.338/.432 line he produced from 2019 to 2023 with the Dodgers and Red Sox. His defensive metrics, once a strength, also declined. While Defensive Runs Saved gave him a slightly positive mark in 2025, Statcast’s Outs Above Average rated him at minus-5, and his sprint speed, previously a standout trait, dropped to the 21st percentile among major leaguers. These factors, combined with the Braves’ need for roster flexibility, made Verdugo expendable.

The return of Jurickson Profar proved to be the final nail in the coffin for Verdugo’s time in Atlanta. Profar, who signed a $42 million deal with the Braves in the offseason, made an immediate impact upon his return, going 4-for-12 with two home runs in his first three games. His resurgence, coupled with the versatility of outfielders Eli White and Stuart Fairchild, left little room for Verdugo in a Braves outfield already grappling with inconsistency. The team’s decision to cut ties with Verdugo underscores their urgency to address offensive shortcomings, especially with Ronald Acuña Jr. sidelined earlier in the season and the Braves struggling to stay in contention, trailing by eight games in the National League Wild Card race as of July 5.

Verdugo’s release leaves his career at a crossroads. Once considered a borderline All-Star with the Red Sox in 2023, his recent performance has raised questions about his future in the majors. His 2024 season with the Yankees was similarly lackluster, as he batted .234 with a .631 OPS over 559 at-bats. The lack of interest in Verdugo during the 2025 offseason, when he didn’t receive a major league offer until late March, suggests that his market may be limited. Still, at 29, Verdugo’s age and track record could attract teams in need of outfield depth or a reclamation project. A minor-league deal or a low-cost major league contract seems the most likely path forward, though his off-field issues and publicized clashes with management during his Red Sox tenure could complicate his search for a new home.

For the Braves, this move signals a focus on performance over potential as the July 31 trade deadline approaches. With Profar back in the fold and younger, more versatile options available, Atlanta is prioritizing players who can deliver immediate results. Verdugo’s departure, while abrupt, reflects the harsh realities of a competitive roster and a team desperate to turn its season around. As Verdugo hits free agency once again, the baseball world waits to see if he can rediscover the form that once made him a standout outfielder.