New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo recently uncovered the cause of a persistent hand irritation he’s been battling for several years.
Since at least the 2021 season, Verdugo, who joined the Yankees this year, has struggled with blisters on his hands while batting.
According to Randy Miller of NJ.com, the irritation stems from a common piece of equipment used by most MLB players: batting gloves.
Verdugo revealed that the allergic reaction in his hands is linked to two chemicals in the gloves: cobalt and chromate.
“Chromate is used in curing the leather,” he explained. “And cobalt is found in the color dyes.”
Despite the issue, Verdugo refuses to use it as an excuse for his performance at the plate.
“I’ve been hitting with these hands for the last three years, so I can’t blame it on my hands,” Verdugo said.
“I don’t know. I cover my hands as best I can. I cover my knuckles. Every day I look like a boxer. I just want this to end.”
Miller also reported that one doctor suggested Verdugo’s tattoos could be contributing to the inflammation due to a potential metal allergy in the tattoo ink.
Alternatively, doctors mentioned that an injectable shot “could cure” the reaction.
Verdugo isn’t the only Yankee facing this issue; top prospect Jasson Dominguez reportedly has a similar problem.
As the MLB season winds down, Verdugo’s performance at the plate has been inconsistent. He currently holds a .237 batting average with ten home runs and 52 RBI across 448 at-bats in 117 games.
Last season with the Boston Red Sox, Verdugo posted 13 home runs and 54 RBI with a .264 batting average. However, his batting average has steadily declined since he began experiencing issues with his hands, dropping from .308 in the shortened 2020 season to .264 in 2023.
