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Changing gloves ends Alex Verdugo's allergy and triggers trend reversal

New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo recently received a new set of batting gloves from Franklin, the official supplier of Major League Baseball gloves. Verdugo noticed that the new gloves matched his previous ones in color and design, but learned that their chemical composition had been altered. Franklin removed cobalt and chromium from the production process after Verdugo was unexpectedly diagnosed with an allergy to his old gloves.

In his debut game with the new gloves, Verdugo showed encouraging signs at bat despite the Yankees' 9-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies. He hit his first home run since July 6 and hit a drive to right-center field in the fourth inning. The outfielder finished the game 1-for-3 with a walk, although he was denied a few more hits.

Before the game, Verdugo showed red spots and blisters on the back of his hands, symptoms he first noticed in 2021 or 2022. He found these spots unusual because he was used to calluses, blisters and bruises on his palms from hitting, but not on the back of his hands.

Verdugo wasn't sure what caused it at first, but he had been wrapping his hands with tape under his batting gloves. It wasn't until this year's All-Star break that he discovered, after consulting a doctor, that the gloves were the cause of his skin irritation.

This case highlights the unforeseen problems that athletes can face and the critical role of equipment customization in addressing individual health needs.

Verdugo's glove change ends hitting problems

Verdugo's batting performance has declined significantly since June 4. He has a .198 batting average and just two home runs, making him one of the least productive hitters in the league. This decline is especially stark given his strong start to the season.

Alex Verdugo of the Yankees shows his ability after hitting a three-run home run against Verlander of the Astros at Yankee Stadium on May 7, 2024.
Joey

He has expressed relief that he has identified the possible cause of his hand problems and found a solution. The Yankees star is optimistic about the new gloves and hopes they will eliminate the need for additional hand taping and improve his overall game performance. He believes these adjustments could significantly improve his hitting power and other aspects of his game.

Before the game, Verdugo expressed his positive attitude, expressing his satisfaction with the new gloves and his anticipation of their impact on his performance. He hopes the gloves will provide him with the comfort and effectiveness needed to improve his game without additional hand protection.

“They feel the same,” he said before the game. “I'm kind of surprised — same color combination, nothing different. I'm happy. We'll see. Hopefully we can use them without tape on my hands and we'll see how it goes. It just makes it a lot easier to do a lot more things.”

Yankees manager Aaron Boone was encouraging about Verdugo's recent performance. Boone acknowledged Verdugo's good contact with the ball in recent games, although aside from the home run, not all of the well-hit balls resulted in hits.

Boone advised Verdugo to persevere and continue his efforts during this difficult time. The manager's comments reflect his confidence in Verdugo's ability to overcome his difficulties and return to form, and underscore the importance of consistency and perseverance in baseball.

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