Following the 2008 season, Verdugo was again drafted by the Giants in the 9th round (267th overall) of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft, and signed. He split his first professional season between the rookie-level Arizona League Giants and Low-A Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. Verdugo split the 2009 season between the AZL Giants and Single-A Augusta GreenJackets, accumulating a 4-0 record and 1.27 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 35+1⁄3 innings pitched across 23 appearances out of the bullpen.[1]
Verdugo split the 2010 season between Augusta and the High-A San Jose Giants. In 44 appearances (one start) for the two affiliates, he posted a combined 8-1 record and 1.87 ERA with 94 strikeouts and one save across 62+2⁄3 innings pitched.[2] In 2011, Verdugo made 25 starts for the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels, compiling an 8-6 record and 4.35 ERA with 133 strikeouts over 130+1⁄3 innings of work.[3]
Kansas City Royals
On November 7, 2011, Verdugo and Jonathan Sánchez were traded to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Melky Cabrera.[4] He was added to the Royals' 40-man roster on November 18 to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[5] Verdugo made his major-league debut on July 17, 2012, against the Seattle Mariners. He allowed six runs in 1+2⁄3 innings, including an RBI double to Jesus Montero and a two-run home run to Justin Smoak, and picked up the loss.[6] The left-hander fared better after being sent down to Triple-A Omaha, posting a season record of 12–4 with a 3.75 ERA in 24 starts. Verdugo was designated for assignment by the Royals on November 20, 2012 as they cleared room on the 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 draft.[7] He was subsequently outrighted to Triple-A.
On July 16, 2014, Verdugo was traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for cash considerations.[9] In 10 appearances (three starts) for the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox, he logged a 2-1 record and 3.45 ERA with 38 strikeouts and two saves across 28+2⁄3 innings pitched.
Oakland Athletics
On November 20, 2014, Verdugo, along with LHP Jim Fuller, signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics organization.[10] He began the 2015 season with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, registering a 2-3 record and 3.46 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 41+2⁄3 innings pitched over 19 games (four starts).
Los Angeles Angels
On July 6, 2015, Verdugo was traded to the Los Angeles Angels organization, where he played for the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees; in 23 games, he compiled a 2-2 record and 5.52 ERA with 33 strikeouts. On November 6, Verdugo elected free agency.
On February 14, 2018, Verdugo signed with the Uni-President Lions of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.[11] On October 7 of the same year, Verdugo completed the first (and, to date, only) perfect game in CPBL history.[12] He re-signed with the Uni-Lions for the 2019 season,[13] at the conclusion of which he became a free agent.
Mexican League (second stint)
On February 11, 2020, Verdugo signed with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League. Verdugo did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Mexican League season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[14] Verdugo re-signed with the team for the 2021 season. In 11 appearances, he posted a 14.49 ERA and gave up 34 hits over 13+2⁄3 innings pitched. On July 19, 2021, Verdugo was loaned to El Águila de Veracruz (previously known as the Rojos del Águila de Veracruz) of the Mexican League for the remainder of the 2021 season.[15] He was returned to Monclova following the conclusion of the season. On October 13, 2021, Verdugo, along with IF Jose Vargas and P Andrew Morales, were traded to the Saraperos de Saltillo of the Mexican League in exchange for OF Juan Perez.[16] On July 28, 2022, Verdugo was traded to the Toros de Tijuana.
On February 24, 2023, Verdugo's rights were re-acquired by El Águila de Veracruz of the Mexican League.[17] However, he did not appear for Veracruz, and retired from professional baseball on March 11, 2024.[18]
↑ "Naranjeros llega a 10 triunfos en LMP"[Naranjeros reach 10 wins in the LMP] (in Spanish). ESPN Deportes. Associated Press. October 25, 2013. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
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