Alex Verdugo's sad spiral continues with latest post-Yankees roster shuffle

Remember when the 2024 New York Yankees went to the World Series while starting Alex Verdugo and Anthony Rizzo? The power of friendship (and Juan Soto) has never been more plainly laid out.

Rizzo, of course, is no longer in MLB, enjoying the Dad Life and likely working as some sort of secret consigliere to Aaron Judge. Verdugo? He waited an awfully long time to find a team, signing with the Atlanta Braves during March Madness after hitting in the heart of the Yankees' order plenty last year.

And now ... well, now, he's out of baseball and back in limbo.

Verdugo was the corresponding move for Atlanta's activation of Jurickson Profar on Wednesday, meaning he was cleared off the roster to accommodate someone who can't even legally participate in the postseason after his 80-game PED suspension expired. Back to the shelter it is for this Dawg.

Former Yankees World Series starter Alex Verdugo DFA'd by Atlanta Braves

Verdugo used the early season to ramp up for his MLB return with Triple-A Gwinnett after holding out for a big-league contract, and has been significantly deficient in the power department since getting the call. He's been, basically, whatever the opposite of the "apple of Braves fans' eye" is, hitting an empty .239 with a 65 OPS+.

Atlanta's season has been wildly disappointing, and Verdugo has been one of the limpest parts of the vanishing offensive attack. It's no great surprise that he has been sent back into purgatory, but his next steps seem much more mysterious. It's anyone's guess where he lands, and a big-league deal seems highly unlikely.

Which leads us to the inevitable...

Will Alex Verdugo come back to the Yankees after Braves DFA?

He was a fan favorite of Aaron Judge last season, who specifically led the charge to acquire him from Boston. The Yankees might be losing Trent Grisham to the Injured List, and Bryan De La Cruz isn't exactly an appealing replacement (though at least he offers "grip it and rip it" power).

Don't say we didn't warn you if the Yankees toss their fallen soldier a life raft. As 2024 Verdugo might say, "Woof."