Alex Verdugo’s year in the limelight hasn’t gone as planned. After moving from the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees in December, Verdugo was expected to shine alongside Aaron Judge and Juan Soto in the outfield. Except right now he’s on track for career lows. However, during the All-Star break, Verdugo discovered a possible reason for his struggles: an allergy to chromate and cobalt in his batting gloves, which cause painful blisters and rashes.
The Yankees’ medical team finally identified the issue and explained that the chemicals used in the leather curing and dyeing processes of his batting gloves are causing the issues. Some doctors even suggested that Verdugo’s tattoos might increase his allergic reactions due to the metal in the ink. Despite these challenges, he tapes his hands and fingers for every game to calm down the pain, although relief is limited, particularly during hot, sweaty games. The glove manufacturer, Franklin, is working on developing non-allergenic gloves, but for now, Verdugo continues to play through the discomfort.
Source: CBS Sports
