In what was supposed to be a promising free agent year for Alex Verdugo, the outfielder's performance has fallen far short of expectations. Traded to the New York Yankees from the Boston Red Sox in December, Verdugo joined the formidable duo of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto in the Yankees' outfield, with the added advantage of playing at the homer-friendly Yankee Stadium. However, his batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and WAR have all dipped since becoming a full-time player in 2019.

According to a report by NJ.com, over the All-Star break, the Yankees' medical team discovered a potential reason for Verdugo's struggles: his own batting gloves. Verdugo was found to be allergic to chromate and cobalt, two chemicals commonly found in batting gloves. These allergies cause blisters and rashes on his hands, making it painful for him to even hold a bat.

Verdugo spoke candidly about his condition, stating, "My hands hurt. They blister. Then it opens and starts scabbing. It's like super dry skin. I've been dealing with this since they started barking in '21." The Yankees' medical team sent him to an allergist after suspecting that a material contact was causing dermatitis, a skin condition characterized by rashes, itching, and blisters. It turns out that chromate is used in the leather curing process, while cobalt is present in the color dyes used for the gloves.

Surprisingly, two doctors interviewed by NJ.com also suggested that Verdugo's tattoos could be contributing to his allergic reaction. The ink used in the tattoos contains metals, and while it is uncommon, being allergic to certain metals is known to happen.

In an effort to alleviate the issue, Verdugo has been taping his hands and fingers before every game to protect his skin. However, with the hot summer months and increased perspiration, this solution only provides limited relief. The manufacturer of Verdugo's batting gloves, Franklin, is now working on developing gloves that do not contain chromate and cobalt.

Despite Verdugo's disappointing performance, the Yankees have managed to thrive, winning 13 of their last 18 games and currently holding the best record in baseball. At just 28 years old, Verdugo should be in the prime of his career, but instead finds himself struggling through his worst statistical season.

With the cause of his allergic reaction identified, there is hope that Verdugo can find a solution to his ongoing struggles. Treatment options are available for such allergies, and the development of gloves without the offending chemicals could provide him with much-needed relief. As he continues to grind through the challenges, it remains to be seen whether Verdugo can overcome this hurdle and regain his form on the field.