Alex Verdugo’s hopes of returning to MLB just took a massive hit at a time when it’s uncertain if he still is worthy of a major-league roster spot. Verdugo, on a minor-league deal with the Padres, is set to undergo season-ending surgery after suffering a shoulder injury and has been released by the team, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune . The 29-year-old will have not played a major-league game in roughly 20 months when the 2027 season — if there’s no lockout — begins. Alex Verdugo during his tenure with the Yankees. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Verdugo signed with the Padres in March after a disappointing 2025 season with the Braves, in which he appeared in 56 games and posted a career .585 OPS. No team signed him after the Braves released him in July with a slashline of .239/.296/.289 and a -0.3 bWAR, failing to homer in 213 plate appearances.…