
The outfielder, known for affectionately referring to the Yankees as “dogs,” has been placed on the paternity list as he and his girlfriend await the arrival of their child. Players on the MLB paternity list can be away from the team for one to three days.
The Yankees announced Verdugo’s temporary departure ahead of their four-game series against the Orioles at Camden Yards. Prior to the highly anticipated matchup against their division rivals, Verdugo was in outstanding form, batting .333/.425/.561 with six doubles, three home runs, and 10 RBIs over his last 19 games.
The 27-year-old Verdugo had been even more impressive over his last eight games, hitting .357 with two homers and eight RBIs. Both of those home runs came during the Yankees’ recent series in Milwaukee, where they amassed 36 runs in three games.
Verdugo, who has solidified the left field position, is currently hitting .267/.358/.446 with four homers and 13 RBIs for the season, his first with the Yankees.
With Taylor Trammell and Trent Grisham already on the bench, the Yankees chose not to replace Verdugo with another outfielder. Instead, they promoted catcher Carlos Narváez.
Aaron Boone has praised Narváez as “elite” defensively, but with three catchers on the roster—Jose Trevino, Austin Wells, and now Narváez—the team lacks a true backup for first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Narváez, who has not yet made his major league debut, was hitting .211 with two homers and 12 RBIs in 23 Triple-A games and had a .239 average with 12 home runs and 44 RBIs over 100 games between Double-A and Triple-A last season.
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