The Padres released Alex Verdugo from his minor league contract on Monday, according to the MiLB.com transaction tracker. Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that’s because the veteran outfielder suffered a shoulder injury that is expected to necessitate season-ending surgery.

It’ll go down as a completely lost year for the 29-year-old. Verdugo played in two Spring Training games, going 1-6 with a walk. He did not appear in any minor league games. Verdugo also hadn’t played after being released by the Braves last July, so it’ll be close to two full years between his regular season appearances even if he’s ready for the start of 2027.

The lefty-hitting Verdugo had five straight seasons of average or better offense for the Dodgers and Red Sox between 2019-23. He never reached the lofty heights expected of the centerpiece of a Mookie Betts trade return, but he was a serviceable left fielder over four seasons in Boston. Verdugo’s numbers fell after a trade to the Yankees going into 2024. He didn’t join Atlanta until late in Spring Training last year and had a career-worst .239/.296/.289 showing without a home run over 56 games.