Clean-shaven Alex Verdugo seen in Yankees gear for first time
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Alex Verdugo looks like a Yankee.
The former Red Sox outfielder, acquired by the Yanks in a December trade, appeared at the club’s spring training facility in Tampa clean-shaven and decked out in Yankees gear Tuesday.
It was the first time has been photographed in the attire of his new team, which he had considered an archrival for the past four years before the trade.
The 27-year-old was known for rocking a beard during his time in Boston but must now abide by the Yankees’ facial hair policy, which bans anything other than a kempt mustache.
Verdugo was captured taking some swings on the field while sporting a navy Yankees cap, a team hoodie and shorts.
In another photo, Verdugo stood on the side of the field in between Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo and shortstop Anthony Volpe.
The three appeared to have been looking off at something in the distance in the same direction.
The Yankees acquired Verdugo in a trade that sent reliever Greg Weissert and minor league pitchers Richard Fitts and Nicholas Judice to Boston.
The deal was quite the surprise to Verdugo, not necessarily that he had been traded, but the fact that he had been dealt to the Yankees.
The deal caught Verdugo by surprise — not because he was traded, but because he was sent to the Yankees.
The corner outfield admitted to reporters after the trade that he initially was “mad” but he quickly changed his tune.
“After about a day just sitting back, I started thinking and reminiscing [about] how this year went with the Red Sox and then having [Aaron] Judge, [Giancarlo] Stanton, Gerrit [Cole] and [Anthony] Rizzo reach out, welcoming me to the team, it got me excited,” Verdugo said in December.
Verdugo likely comes to The Bronx with something to prove after he seemingly wore out his welcome in Boston.
There had been some questions about his hustle last season, and he found himself reportedly being benched twice by Red Sox manager Alex Cora — first for a lack of hustle and then again after he showed up late for a game in August.
Verdugo rounds out a star-studded outfield for the Yankees that includes fellow trade acquisition Juan Soto and captain Aaron Judge.
He gives the Yankees an upgrade in left field over what they had last season — which began with Aaron Hicks in the spot — and also gives them another left-handed bat in the lineup.
In four seasons with the Red Sox, Verdugo slashed .281/.338/.424 with 43 homers.
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