Alex Verdugo Has a Stress Fracture in His Back so It's Clear Brusdar Graterol Fuss Was One Big Joke

The Boston Red Sox introduced Alex Verdugo to the media at Spring Training on Saturday, but fans didn't receive the kind of news on the young slugger that they were surely hoping to hear.

Verdugo, who was the centerpiece of the Mookie Betts trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers, is dealing with a troubling back injury. That's ironic considering the Red Sox made a big stink over Minnesota Twins pitcher Brusdar Graterol's medicals, which put the original Betts mega-deal on hold before it was amended.

Alex Verdugo’s back injury is a stress fracture that has not fully healed yet. Sox are happy with how it has progressed but they’re going to take him slowly.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) February 15, 2020

On top of that, Verdugo might not be ready for Opening Day!

So, doctors confirming there was no concern over Graterol's medicals wasn't enough, but the Sox knowing Verdugo had a back injury that would potentially keep him out for the start of the year was okay?

Roenicke says Vertugo stress fracture in his back has not healed completely. “To be honest .. he may not be ready for Opening Day .. . we need him to be 100 percent.”
— Steve Buckley (@BuckinBoston) February 15, 2020

It's understandable that there's not much to worry about because Boston controls Verdugo for the next five seasons, but aren't back injuries specifically concerning for everyday outfielders? Or human beings who have to swing bats?

This all seems a bit contradictory.

It's especially troubling because Verdugo will be going on eight months of recovery assuming this process leaks into April. Whatever the case, it's not time to panic, but it's also not a good look.