Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Verdugo will be benched Thursday against Cleveland due to a "lack of hustle," Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.
Verdugo didn't give maximum effort on the basepaths during a fielder's choice by Masataka Yoshida in Wednesday's game, and Cora will seemingly use Verdugo to send a message to the rest of the team. Cora also said that the 27-year-old outfielder will return to Boston's lineup Friday.
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Red Sox's Alex Verdugo: Not starting Thursday
Rotowire
Verdugo is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Guardians, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
It's a bit strange to see Verdugo on the bench with Cleveland throwing right-hander Aaron Civale, but there's been no indication he's dealing with an injury. Rob Refsnyder will be in right field for the Red Sox and Jarren Duran has been elevated to the leadoff spot.
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Red Sox's Alex Verdugo: Two hits in return
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Verdugo went 2-for-5 in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Reds.
Verdugo returned to the lineup after missing Tuesday's game with a minor illness. The outfielder has seven hits over his last 17 at-bats.
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Red Sox's Alex Verdugo: Returns to lineup Wednesday
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Verdugo (illness) will start in right field and bat leadoff Wednesday against the Reds.
Verdugo sat out Tuesday's 9-8 loss in the series opener while he was under the weather, but he's feeling well enough to take back his usual spot in the outfield Wednedsay. Raimel Tapia will head back to the bench after going 3-for-5 with a pair of extra-base hits, two runs and two RBI while filling in for Verdugo at the top of the lineup against Cincinnati on Tuesday.
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Red Sox's Alex Verdugo: Not feeling well
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Boston manager Alex Cora acknowledged Verdugo was not feeling well Tuesday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports. "Dugie is not feeling great," Cora said when asked about using Verdugo as a pinch hitter Tuesday.
Cora wanted to give the Verdugo the entire day off due to the illness, which is why the manager stayed away from him during the Red Sox's late rally in a 9-8 loss to the Reds. There were ideal spots to use him, as the struggling Jarren Duran and Triston Casas made the final outs with a runner at third base in the team's five-run ninth inning. Cora expects Verdugo back Wednesday.
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Red Sox's Alex Verdugo: Not in Tuesday's lineup
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Verdugo is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Reds, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.
It's unusual to see Verdugo getting a day off with a right-hander (Ben Lively) on the mound, but this does seem to simply be him getting some rest. Raimel Tapia will be in right field and will hit leadoff.
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Red Sox's Alex Verdugo: Racks up three hits
Rotowire
Verdugo went 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Friday's 7-2 win over the Diamondbacks.
Verdugo went 0-for-12 over his last three games, which led to him getting Wednesday off ahead of Thursday's travel day. He'd gone five contests without an extra-base hit. Despite the recent slump, Verdugo remains one of the Red Sox's most consistent hitters. He's slashing .292/.364/.464 with five home runs, 20 RBI, 38 runs scored and three stolen bases through 49 games.
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Red Sox's Alex Verdugo: Back in lineup Friday
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Verdugo (groin) is starting Friday against the Padres, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
After being forced to exit Wednesday's contest against the Mariners early due to left groin tightness, Verdugo will return to Boston's lineup without missing a game. The 27-year-old outfielder is on pace for the best season of his career and is slashing .305/.380/.497 through 43 contests.
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Red Sox's Alex Verdugo: Should play Friday
Rotowire
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Verdugo (groin) should be able to play Friday in San Diego, MLB.com reports.
Verdugo was removed from Wednesday's game in the third inning due to tightness in his left groin. The Red Sox termed the removal as precautionary, and the outfielder should be good to go after Thursday's team off day.
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Red Sox's Alex Verdugo: Removed as precaution
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Verdugo was pulled from Wednesday's game against Seattle due to left groin tightness, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.
The Red Sox have an off day Thursday, so Verdugo will get an extra day of rest before the team decides whether or not he will miss any more time. He should be considered day-to-day going forward.
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Red Sox's Alex Verdugo: Scores lone run in loss
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Verdugo went 1-for-3 with a walk, a double and a run scored in Sunday's 9-1 loss to the Cardinals.
Verdugo doubled to lead off the bottom of the first inning for Boston and raced home on a Rafael Devers two-out single. It was the leadoff batter's 32nd run scored, which ties him for fifth in MLB along with Matt Olson and Christian Yelich. Verdugo's bat cooled off slightly after hot start, but he's getting on base regularly and maintains a career-high .865 OPS.
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Red Sox's Alex Verdugo: Back in action
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Verdugo will bat second and play right field Saturday against the Phillies, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.
An illness kept Verdugo out of the lineup for the last two games, but it evidently isn't a long-term issue. That's good news for the Red Sox, as he's off to a strong start, hitting .315/.382/.515 with five homers in 144 trips to the plate.
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Red Sox's Alex Verdugo: Held out again Friday
Rotowire
Verdugo (illness) remained out of the Red Sox' lineup Friday in Philadelphia.
Verdugo is battling an illness and will miss a second straight start. He's considered day-to-day. Raimel Tapia will pick up another start in right field and in the leadoff spot.
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Red Sox's Alex Verdugo: Absent due to illness
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Verdugo was not in Thursday's lineup against the Blue Jays due to an illness, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
It was originally believed to just be a typical off day for Verdugo, though manager Alex Cora disclosed the illness following Thursday's win. There's no indication that the issue will cause Verdugo to miss further game action.
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Red Sox's Alex Verdugo: Getting day off
Rotowire
Verdugo is not in the Red Sox's lineup for Thursday's game versus the Blue Jays, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
It's the second day off of the season for Verdugo, who has nine hits in his last five games. Raimel Tapia is taking his spot in right field and in the leadoff spot.
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Red Sox's Alex Verdugo: Shows off versatility in win
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Verdugo went 2-for-5 with a double, a solo home run, a steal and an additional run scored in Monday's 6-5 win over the Blue Jays.
Verdugo led off the bottom of the first with a double and came around to score on Masataka Yoshida's RBI double. After reaching on a fielder's choice in the sixth, Verdugo recorded his second steal of the season but was ultimately stranded at second base. The Blue Jays tied the game at 5-5 in the top of the ninth, but Verdugo blasted a walk-off solo shot to lead off the bottom half of the frame. He's hit safely in seven of his last eight games -- including three straight multi-hit efforts -- and has five extra-base knocks and eight RBI during that stretch.
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Red Sox's Alex Verdugo: Homers, drives in three
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Verdugo went 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBI in Sunday's 7-1 win over Cleveland.
Verdugo opened the scoring Sunday with a two-run single in the fifth inning. He extended Boston's lead to 5-1 in the seventh with a solo home run, his fourth long ball of the year, off Peyton Battenfield. Verdugo has gotten off to a fast start while leading off for the Red Sox this season, slashing .308/.372/.479 with 17 RBI, 22 runs scored and a stolen base through 129 plate appearances. The 26-year-old outfielder has 36 hits, second behind Matt Chapman and Bo Bichette in the American League.
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Red Sox's Alex Verdugo: Hits walk-off
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Verdugo went 2-for-6 with one double, one RBI and one run scored in Saturday's extra-inning win over Cleveland.
Verdugo secured the win for the Red Sox, plating Christian Arroyo in the 10th in walk-off fashion. Saturday's game-winner was his second in the last two weeks after walking it off against the Twins on April 18. The lefty has been a steady contributor atop the Boston lineup, with a .301/.363/.451 slash line and the 10th most hits (34) in Major League Baseball.
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Red Sox's Alex Verdugo: Goes deep again
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Verdugo went 2-for-5 with a double and a two-run home run in Friday's win over the Brewers.
Verdugo blasted a two-run shot in the third inning to start the scoring. It was the second consecutive night the 26-year old found the seats. Boston's leadoff hitter is crushing the ball to start the season, hitting .341 in 21 games. Verdugo has provided some unexpected pop this week and is on pace to top his career-high 13 home runs.
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Red Sox's Alex Verdugo: Homers in win
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Verdugo went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored in Thursday's 11-5 victory over Minnesota.
Verdugo led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run off Kenta Maeda, his second long ball of the year, to give the Red Sox an early 1-0 lead. Verdugo has gotten off to a hot start this season, hitting safely in 16 of his first 20 games. He's slashing .338/.407/.481 with eight RBI, 16 runs scored and a stolen base through 86 plate appearances.
