Of the nine rookies the Los Angeles Dodgers relied on throughout this past season, only Alex Verdugo was with the club on Opening Day. While he had prior stints up in the Majors, it marked the first time Verdugo was with the Dodgers to start a season.
It was considered a likely scenario heading into Spring Training, though Brad Miller’s performance began to cast some doubt on it. But Verdugo’s spot as a bench player was cemented when Brad Miller opted out of his Minor League contract and signed with the Cleveland Indians.
Verdugo fared well in limited opportunities, then assumed an everyday role in the wake of A.J. Pollock undergoing elbow surgery. However, the rookie outfielder saw his season derailed once the calendar turned to August.
Verdugo was scratched from the lineup on Aug. 1 because of left knee soreness, then again four days later due to back trouble. That, along with oblique trouble, prevented him from returning.
The 23-year-old is still recovering from the back injury suffered during his rehab assignment and is focused on getting back to full health for Opening Day of the 2020 season, per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
Alex Verdugo said his back rehab is progressing “at a good pace,” but he has not been doing baseball activities.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) December 13, 2019
Verdugo said the goal is to be ready Opening Day.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) December 13, 2019
There was initial optimism Verdugo would play again in 2019, but by the middle of September, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts ruled him out of the National League Division Series. Verdugo remained hopeful to recover for the NL Championship Series, though that too was eventually eliminated as a possibility. Of course, it ultimately was a moot point.
Verdugo finished the season batting .294/.342/.475 with 12 home runs, 43 runs scored, 44 RBI and four stolen bases in 106 games. He will factor into the outfield picture again in 2020 but in what capacity is dependent on possible offseason roster changes.
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