PEORIA, Ariz. — The reports from the back fields were immediately glowing.
Alex Verdugo was fitting in as a Padres minor leaguer.
Even those who were skeptical at the start said they were optimistic based on what they were viewing.
In addition to seeing promise in the way he was playing the outfield and swinging the bat, observers within the organization noted Verdugo was engaged. He was helping out younger players. He seemed enthused.
In a brief conversation Monday morning, Verdugo explained why.
“Just in a much better headspace, much better physically,” Verdugo said. “I just feel rejuvenated. The batteries are back to being charged.”
Verdugo spoke as he walked to the farthest field at the Peoria Sports Complex where he joined other Padres minor leaguers for workouts.
The 29-year-old Verdugo has played 856 games over parts of nine seasons in the major leagues.
When or if he returns is largely up to him.
The Padres signed Verdugo to a minor-league deal on March 1 with the belief it is possible he can find his offensive groove at Triple-A and find his way back to the big leagues and help them.
It might not work out. But neither is it far-fetched he could become their fourth outfielder by May.
The left-handed-hitting Verdugo was not long ago quite adept at hitting right-handed pitchers. From 2018 through ‘23, his .292 average against righties was 15th best in the major leagues among batters with at least 1,500 plate appearances. His .810 OPS against right-handers ranked 48th.
He was serviceable enough in far more limited action against left-handed pitchers to put up an .817 OPS overall for the Dodgers in 2019, an .844 OPS for the Red Sox in 2020 and hit 28 doubles for the Yankees in 2024.
By ‘24, however, his overall batting line shriveled to .233/.291/.356 and he hit just .235/.282/.388 against right-handers.
He signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Braves last spring with the idea he would provide depth in their outfield. As he had the year before with the Yankees, he got off to a hot start before cratering. Verdugo was batting .239/.296/.289 over 213 plate appearances when he was released in early July.
Verdugo said Monday he has figured out some physical maladies with his lower body.
He also figured out something else.
“Sitting on the couch a little bit last year, working out, doing stuff on my own not knowing where we’re going to be, you have a lot of thoughts that cross through your mind and go through your head,” Verdugo said. “… I was like, ‘You know what? I got the opportunity to play in the big leagues, and it’s a blessing and a dream come true.’ ”
Alex Verdugo of the San Diego Padres looks on during their spring training workout at Peoria Sports Complex on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 in Peoria, Ariz. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
He is experiencing a spring training at home. The Tucson native bought a home in the Phoenix area 2½ years ago but has spent his spring trainings in Florida
“I love it,” he said. “I wish it was on the big-league side. But the fact that I get to be here, go home after a long, 10-hour day, I see my kids, I hang out in my yard, that right there is special and has been awesome.”
There have long been questions about Verdugo’s commitment and maturity. Those concerns kept the Padres, who had considered trading for Verdugo at least a couple times over the years, from signing him after a meeting last spring. That is why what they have seen so far in how he has handled himself is considered imperative.
“I take everything for what it is, and I’m a big believer that everything happens for a reason,” Verdugo said. “And, you know, we all have our own stories. We all have our own paths and our own walks in life. For me, maybe it was a little bit of too much comfortability. Maybe I just got a little too comfortable and then kind of started making a family, started just kind of getting a little bit distracted. For me, it was more like understanding how to control my family, control everything and then still take care of my body, still get ready for the day and make sure that I’m getting ready to handle the athletic stuff that we need to do. It was just a big learning curve for me. The older you get, the more mature you get.”
He called his time back as a minor leaguer “just a stepping stone.”
New York Yankees left fielder Alex Verdugo makes a diving catch on a ball hit by the Dodgers’ Kike Hernandez (not pictured) during the ninth inning of Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
There are no plans to get him into a Cactus League game, though it has not been ruled out. At this point, the thought is it is best to let him work in minor league games, as he started late after not playing the end of last season.
Verdugo has a strong arm and is considered adequate to above average at all three outfield spots. Those who have watched him the past week have been encouraged with by how he looks as he works into shape.
“Do I think my story is done? Absolutely not,” Verdugo said. “I just wanted to get back and just start playing again. So that’s why I took the deal here. And I’m not afraid of the work. I’m not afraid of the long days and the hard hours that we’re putting in. It’s been a blessing, man. I love this group. Everybody has been great with me.”