Alex Cora benches Alex Verdugo, citing ‘manager’s decision’

Image courtesy of AP Photos

Red Sox skipper Alex Cora told reporters postgame that he benched outfielder Alex Verdugo for Saturday’s game against the Blue Jays. Cora said Verdugo was unavailable due to a “manager’s decision,” and declined to get into any details with the media.

Verdugo was initially penciled into the Sox lineup to bat fifth and play right field. He was removed from the lineup about two hours before the first pitch.

“I decided not to play him,” Cora said. “Today, we took a step back as a team. We have to make sure everybody is available every single day here for us to get to wherever we’ve got to go. That wasn’t the case. As a manager, I’ve got to take charge of that. I decided he wasn’t gonna play.

“We have to be available. Everybody has to be available. For us to do this, we have to be available. From coaches to players to analysts to the front office, everybody has to be available every single day here. That’s the bottom line. Today, one guy wasn’t available.”

The Red Sox have not formally announced the reason for Verdugo’s benching. MLB.com’s Ian Browne reported that Verdugo did not report for the game until roughly two hours prior to first pitch.

“Just a manager’s decision,” Verdugo said. “I don’t really wanna go too far into it. It’s his decision and that’s what we went with. Obviously, I want to be available and I want to help in big parts and I want to help this team win. All we can do now is look forward to tomorrow, come here and be ready to play.

“Whether we see eye-to-eye every time, no, but it’s his decision and I respect him very much. I respect his decisions. He has a reason, so it’s fine. We’ll be out here tomorrow ready to play hard.”

Cora was described as being enraged during his postgame presser with the media.

“I’m very disappointed,” Cora said. “This is probably one of my worst days here in this organization. From Day 1, everybody’s been available from Day 1. We had our issues or whatever and we’ve taken care of our things. Today, we took a step back. I feel responsible because I’m the leader of this team. It’s hard.”

This is the second time that Verdugo has been benched by Cora this season. Verdugo didn’t play on June 8 due to a perceived lack of hustle when when base running the night before. The Red Sox and Cora have questioned Verdugo’s efforts at times during his four years with the organization.

Verdugo told reporters he respected Cora’s decision on Saturday and acknowledged that he doesn’t always see eye-to-eye with his manager.

“He’s the jefe, he’s the one. He’s our coach. He’s the head guy here,” Verdugo said. “For me, I take responsibility. At the end of the day, it’s his decision. Whether it hurt the team or helped the team today, we don’t know. But I like to think I help the team in different aspects. For me, as a player, I want to play. I want to be out there every day. Today was a little bit hard to watch.

“I expect to be more present. I expect to be more alert, understanding of the game and what’s going on, reading the pitchers, seeing how they’re working the hitters, just more in tune with the game and more in tune with everything. I feel like I’ve been battling myself a little bit so it’s time to stop battling myself and go battle the pitcher.”

Verdugo being unavailable shortened the Red Sox bench on Saturday. With the Red Sox trailing by one run in the ninth to the Blue Jays, Cora opted to use Reese McGuire as a pinch-hitter versus Verdugo. McGuire ultimately delivered a base hit into right field but was doubled off second base on the final play of the game.

The loss proved costly as the Sox dropped to four games out of the final wild-card spot.

“Obviously, I’ve got to be better,” Verdugo said. “I expect more for myself, just to go out there and finish the seven weeks strong. Play hard, show up every day and be ready to go.

“I’ve got ways to improve every day. Every aspect, whether it’s your first year in the big leagues, five years, 10 years, you’ve always got room to improve and ways to grow. We’re gonna continue moving forward and just proving all the haters wrong.”

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