This year has been tough for Alex Verdugo.
Traded from the Red Sox to the Yankees in December, he joined stars like Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. Playing home games at Yankee Stadium with its short right field seemed like a perfect setup for a stellar season.
However, Verdugo is hitting just .235/.294/.366 with 10 home runs over 504 plate appearances. His stats are on track to be his worst since becoming a full-time player in 2019. While his defense in left field has been solid, it hasn’t compensated for his struggles at bat .
Unexpected Allergies:
During the All-Star break, Verdugo discovered that his batting gloves might be the cause of his troubles. Yankees doctors and an allergist found he’s allergic to chromate and cobalt, chemicals used in batting gloves. This allergy causes painful blisters and rashes on his hands.
“My hands hurt,” Verdugo shared with NJ Advance Media. “They blister. Then it opens and starts scabbing. It’s like super dry skin. I’ve been dealing with this since they started barking in ’21.”
After examining him, the medical team sent him to an allergist who suspected dermatitis caused by contact with certain materials.
“Chromate is used in curing the leather,” Verdugo explained. “And cobalt is found in the color dyes.”
Two doctors mentioned that even Verdugo’s tattoos could be worsening his allergies due to metals in the ink—a rare but not unheard-of condition.
Fans might wonder if this news will change how players choose their gear.
Verdugo tapes up his hands and fingers every game to protect them, but it’s only somewhat effective, especially during hot summer months when sweating increases irritation. Franklin, the company making his gloves, is working on creating versions without chromate or cobalt.
Despite these challenges and a rough season for Verdugo, the Yankees have managed to win 13 of their last 18 games and hold the best record in baseball! At 28 years old, fans expected him to be at peak performance rather than struggling through possibly his worst season yet.
What do you think about this? Should players test their gear more thoroughly?
