Verdugo admits benching was necessary: I can piss Cora off sometimes

Boston Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo believes his relationship with manager Alex Cora is in a good place despite being benched last week for a lack of hustle.

"I don't give a (expletive) about what anybody says - the media, fans. Nobody knows what's in-house," Verdugo said, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive. "Me and him are cool. Our families are cool, our kids love each other. There's some (expletive) that I do that pisses him off on the field, but that's part of this.

"It's a part of growing, it's part of being a player and being a manager. There's different stresses and responsibilities that go on, and we've got to handle that. We've got to make sure we're still handling our business and doing what we need to do."

The 27-year-old acknowledged the benching was necessary.

"There's no hardship, there's no bad feelings, there's no ill will, nothing like that," Verdugo added. "I think it needed to happen. He was tired of it, he wanted to put me on the spot and let me know. It was loud and clear. We're good."

Verdugo was benched last Wednesday against the Cleveland Guardians following a play in the seventh inning in which he slowed up and looked back at first base during a force play at second with two outs.